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Stone firing on all cylinders at KLM Open

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BEAU CHAMP, MAURITIUS - MAY 14: Brandon Stone doing a coaching clinic during day 3 of the 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Four Seasons Golf Club on May 14, 2016 in Beau Champ, Mauritius. EDITOR'S NOTE: For free editorial use. Not available for sale. No commercial usage. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images)

Brandon Stone shot a course-record 63 on Saturday at The Dutch course for the biggest leaderboard move of the week – a 37-spot climb that helped him into seventh place at the KLM Open.

The world number 94 played a flawless round that included four birdies on either side of the turn for a 10-under-par total after 54 holes. He was four shots behind overnight leader Scott Hend.

‘The swing felt a little bit off out there today,’ Hend said. ‘But I managed to hang in there and just stay patient and then I started hitting some really nice shots and that presented me with the opportunity to make some putts.’

Italy’s Nino Bertasio was second and one stroke off the pace, while four players ahred third on 11- under par, including local favourite Joost Luiten.

Stone, meanwhile, was four back after shooting the low round of the tournament and will take on Sunday with his game firing on all cylinders.

He ranks 35th in the Race to Dubai, so making the European Tour Finals Series is almost guaranteed. All professionals play to win and he’ll be eyeing another trophy to go with his SA Open silverware.