Laurie Canter and Ross McGowan share a three-shot lead heading into the final round of the Italian Open as the English pair went in search of potentially career-changing victories in Brescia.
Canter set the pace at Chervo Golf Club with an opening 60 and a third-round 69 kept him at the summit, but he had McGowan for company at 19 under after the 38-year-old carded a 67.
McGowan claimed his first and so far only European Tour win 11 years ago during a run of form that saw him almost make Colin Montgomerie's Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor.
Since then he has bounced between the European and Challenge Tours but after an eagle, six birdies and three bogeys in round three, he has a chance to once again establish himself on the top circuit.
"A win would probably change the outlook for the rest of the year, next year and hopefully for the next few years after that," he told europeantour.com.
"I’m not getting any younger so it would be quite handy to win one nice and early."
Canter claimed a first European Tour top 10 in August after 78 events across nine seasons, and finished with three birdies in round three as he seeks a maiden victory.
"I definitely feel confident I can go out and stick to what I’m doing," he said. "I don’t know if that will be good enough.
"I have a feeling tomorrow a few people a couple of shots back will pull the anchor up and go for it and somebody’s going to go low tomorrow, so Ross and I and those around us will have to keep going forward to be up there."
South African Dean Burmester was at 16 under, a shot ahead of 2012 Ryder Cup hero Nicolas Colsaerts and German Sebastian Heisele.
Spaniard Adri Arnaus and Finn Tapio Pulkkanen were five shots off the lead, a shot ahead of a group containing two-time major champion Martin Kaymer, defending champion Bernd Wiesberger and Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell.
Caldwell carded a round of 68, which featured an eagle on the sixth and two bogeys.
Cormac Sharvin sits on nine under, while Gavin Moynihan is three under for the tournament.
