Matt Wallace continued his late push for a place in Luke Donald's European Ryder Cup team as a 67 handed him a share of the lead heading into the final round of the D+D Real Czech Masters.
The Englishman carded a 63 on day two to surge into contention and he maintained that momentum with six birdies and a single bogey to sit alongside Finland’s Sami Valimaki at 16 under.
It was a mixed day for Irish pair John Murphy and Padraig Harrington.
Murphy carded a second successive 68 to shoot up into a tie for 20th on 10 under, six shots off the lead. He made his move around the turn with birdies at nine, the 10th and 11th.
A poor finish saw Padraig Harrington go the other way as he carded a 73 to fall to four under and towards the tail-end of the field
A double bogey on 16 and a bogey at the next was a frustrating end to the third round for the Dubliner.
Another Ryder Cup hopeful in Dane Nicolai Hojgaard was a shot off the lead, and with just this event, the ongoing Tour Championship on the PGA Tour and next week’s Omega European Masters to go before Donald makes his six selections to face the United States on 4 September, the former world number one could have plenty to consider.
Wallace was unfortunate to miss out on a wild card in 2018 after claiming a third win in his last 15 starts in front of captain Thomas Bjorn in the final qualifying event, and will head to Switzerland next week to a layout where he lost in a play-off last season.
The 33-year-old – who won his first PGA Tour title earlier this year – birdied the third, fourth and sixth and while he had a wobble around the turn where he dropped a shot on the 11th, he hit back with further gains on the 12th, 13th and 17th.
"Three holes there in the middle that could have really derailed me in the past," Wallace said of his fine round.
"I'd like to say a future Matt can deal with those sorts of things quite well. I’m dealing with them pretty good now. I still feel like I’m going to be in contention, got through that sticky patch and managed to finish strong.
"There have been a few winners up at the top of this leaderboard this week but I’d like to say I think I’ve got the most. I can get the job done, so I know that.
"I know what I’m going to do now in preparation for tomorrow that gets me in the best mindset. I know that I can win, that’s the beauty of this game."
Valimaki also carded a 67 with six birdies and a bogey, needing a closing gain to get back on top, while Hojgaard made five birdies and two bogeys in a 69.
Dutchman Wil Besseling was at 14 under, a shot clear of a group of five players including England’s Todd Clements.
