Australian Hend led Noren by one stroke heading into the final 18 holes at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.
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Willett led the way for the five-strong Ryder Cup contingent by shooting a five-under-par 65 in the European Masters first round at Crans-sur-Sierre.
The Swede charged clear with a string of birdies late in the front nine, but Hend slowly ground back into the title race with birdies on the 14 and 15, then drew level when Noren three-putted the 17 green.
Noren, who made this the scene of his first European Tour win in 2009, opened with a birdie today and then made a surge by connecting four straight from Nos. 6-9.
Australia’s Scott Hend will take a narrow lead into the final round of the Omega European Masters.
Meanwhile, defending champion and Masters victor Danny Willett struggled for consistency, shooting five birdies and as many bogeys to sit well out of contention on three under.
Beginning the day with a one shot cushion over the recent Scottish Open victor, Hend knew he would have a fight on his hands when Noren birdied the first to grab a share of the lead.
The 34 year old began the day one shot behind his playing partner Hend but was at one stage of the day two shots clear following a superb five under front nine.
Andrew Johnston, the popular Englishman known to fans as “Beef”, was in a group of five players on 7 under after a morning round of 68.
Westwood, who started the week by securing a 10th consecutive Ryder Cup appearance thanks to a wild card from captain Darren Clarke, had set the clubhouse target on 12 under courtesy of a birdie on the last completing a flawless 63.
“It feels unbelievable”, said Noren, who also won the Scottish Open in July and will now move into the top-30 of the world ranking for the first time in his career. Alex Noren of Sweden was leading the field with 17-under overall when reports last came in.
“On the first day I was a bit rusty”, Westwood acknowledged.
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“I have some good memories of the course and the tournament in Hong Kong so I am looking forward to getting back there and trying to get my hands on the trophy”, said Willett, who finished 21st when he last played the event in 2011. “I haven’t played much golf for four weeks before coming here”.
