Damien McGrane's blistering finish at Kennemer left the Irishman three strokes clear of the field in the weather-disrupted KLM Open.
McGrane, who only began his European Tour career three years ago after working in a Wexford club shop, made a huge advance on a maiden title by scattering the field with four closing birdies in a seven-under-par 64 which hauled him a 12-under-par total of 201.
On a day of low-scoring, compatriot Peter Lawrie, the 2003 European rookie of the year, was the first to shoot 64 to share second place with Frenchman Jean-Francois Remesy and Briton Simon Dyson.
What was a course-record 64, though, did not last for long as Australian left-hander Richard Green broke it with a 62 that left him in a share of fifth place.
He was a further stroke back, with another Frenchman, Christian Cevaer, and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen.
McGrane said he was happy to be shooting it out with Lawrie, who will play with him in the final round, but hoped to ward off his friend to prove his transition from club to touring pro was the right decision.
'My game had improved so much over the last ten years that I felt it was time for me to leave the type of business I was in,' said McGrane.
'Now I feel I have something to prove - that I made the right decision - and I'm looking to crack that nut by winning.
'It will be great playing with Peter and I hope he does well, but I do just that bit better.'
