Frenchman Clément Sordet shot a season-best 65 to take a two shot lead into the final day of the Turkish Airlines Challenge at Gloria Golf Club in Belek.
The 23 year old went into the day two shots behind compatriot and overnight leader Matthieu Pavon but wasted no time making his move as he eagled the first hole to draw level.
He added four birdies on the front nine before making two more after the turn for a score of seven under par and an overall 17 under par total after three rounds.
“Getting an eagle on the first hole put a smile on my face right at the beginning of my round,” he said. “I played pretty good out there. I ate a lot of fairways and greens.
“I tried to play smart on the par fives – if you can make birdies on those, you can easily shoot a low score.
“My back nine was solid, I think. All you want to do after a five under front nine is play it shot by shot and not think about your score.
“The back nine was tougher, you could easily make some bogies, but I left myself with putts for par and birdie.”
Sordet was left with a tricky up and down after shooting past the 18th green, eventually saving for par. Despite the finish the Frenchman walked off the sun-bathed New Course in a buoyant mood.
“Unfortunately I didn’t make the up and down,” he added. “My putt could have gone in, but what I have to do is smile and think ‘you’ve had a great day and shot seven under’.”
Road to Oman Rankings leader Sebastian Soderberg, who is chasing his second title of the season after winning the Barclays Kenya Open in March, trails Sordet by two shots, carding a third round 67 for a 15 under par total.
Two shots further back are Englishman Aaron Rai, Frenchman Pavon and Jens Dantorp, who hit a hole-in-one on the 177 par three 15th.
“It’s unbelievable,” said the Swede. “I didn’t see it until the recorders put their hands up, and that was about two minutes after.
“It was surprising, I thought it was close but didn’t think it was going in. It’s my fifth overall and my second in tournament play.”
Dantorp started his round with four birdies on the front nine and he finished his afternoon in style, making three birdies and an ace in his final five holes.
“I just tried to get a good start early on,” he continued. “I felt pretty good after yesterday’s round of seven under, and I wanted to keep the momentum going and get into this round early.
“I had a great finish and I’m looking forward to taking that momentum into tomorrow’s final round.”
