Sweden's Peter Hanson continued his charge towards a Ryder Cup place by claiming a four shot lead at the Czech Open, although he will be looking over his shoulder with rivals Simon Dyson and Miguel Ángel Jiménez just behind him.
Spaniard Jiménez, who co-designed the Prosper Golf Resort course, is currently eighth in the standings for a spot in Colin Montgomorie's European Team, while Dyson, who is currently 16th, can also sneak into the all-important top nine with a good performance tomorrow.
They are joint second at Čeladná, which could be bad news for fellow hopefuls Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington, and Luke Donald.
Hanson, given an invite to the Czech Open only on Monday, was joint halfway leader with compatriot Fredrik Widmark.
However, he moved into a two shot lead with a birdie on the fourth, before being caught by Dyson and Jiménez early on the back nine.
The 32 year old's response was brilliant, though, as birdies came on the 13th, 14th, 16th and the 453-yard last - a hole where Australian Tim Stewart had earlier taken 11 - to secure a four under par 68 and 12-under total of 204.
Hanson, who revealed he is drawing inspiration from his victory in the the Nordea Scandinavian Masters two years ago when he had also just returned from US PGA Championship, admits tomorrow could be tense given what is at stake.
Hanson said: “There’s a little bit of a coincidence because the tournament I won in Sweden – the Scandinavian Masters – a couple of years ago was in the same week – the week after the PGA Championship – and I came home and had the same motivated feeling.
"The last day will be a bit tense with what is at stake. Winning the event is a huge thing but even with The Ryder Cup there will be tension.
"Miguel is trying to hold on to his spot and stay in the team. Both me and Simon are trying our best to push our way on to it. So there will be some nerves tomorrow definitely.
"I've been very happy with my game from tee to green all week. I hit 17 greens both Thursday and Friday and did the same today.
"I was maybe a little bit too cautious on the front nine - there were a couple of tough pins on seven and eight close to the water and I hit wedges possibly a little too far away. But I still made par.
"I really took my birdie chances on the way in on 13 and 14. I was very happy with the up and down on 16. It was a tough lie just off the green and then the long putt on the last."
Dyson, who also made the long trip by plane, train and automobile from the US PGA Championship, stayed in touch with a 69.
Jiménez, meanwhile, shot a best of the day 67 to be alongside Dyson on eight under and boost his own Ryder Cup position.
A top two finish would move the 46 year oild ahead of Francesco Molinari and England's Ross Fisher in the standings and pretty much guarantee him a fourth cap
Tomorrow's final round is Jiménez's final chance to seal his place as he will be attend a nephew's wedding next week instead of travelling to Scotland.
"I'm going to take a week off - he moved all dates for that date," said Jiménez.
"Tomorrow is very important for the Ryder Cup and I need to play well."
Dyson commented: "I have to be honest - I think the front nine is the best I've ever played. If my putter had been hot it could have been something ridiculous.
"I would rather be 10 clear, but to give myself a chance is exactly what I wanted to do. It was a long way, but I knew I had to do it."
Fellow countryman Ross McGowan, 11th in the standings compared to Hanson's 15th and Dyson's 16th, could still have a say in things, but everything for him will now rest on the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles after a 73 dropped him to one over.
Stewart's 11 was not the only one. Irishman Gary Murphy had one on the short 15th, also dumping four balls in water.
