Francesco Molinari leads his brother Edoardo by a shot going into the final round of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
The Italian moved to ten under par as he looks to celebrate his place on The Ryder Cup team with a tournament win.
Edoardo could still join him in the team with a wildcard on Sunday and with Simon Dyson third and still in with a chance of grabbing an automatic place on Colin Montgomerie's side, a gripping end to the year-long race is in prospect at Gleneagles.
Francesco shot a four under par 68 and, as at the Barclays Scottish Open last month, where Edoardo triumphed, they will play the final round in the final group together.
Dyson has to win and hope that either Miguel Angel Jiménez is outside the top nine or Peter Hanson outside the top 43.
With 18 holes to play only a stroke separates Dyson and Jiménez, but things are so tightly bunched that the York golfer is in a five-way tie for third while Jiménez is in a nine-way tie for eighth. Hanson's 75 leaves him in a ten-way tie for 32nd.
Dyson, 12th at the US PGA Championship two weeks ago and fifth at the Czech Open last Sunday, said: "Miguel's score never entered my mind once out there.
"You can't really focus on anybody else's score. I'm just focusing on my own."
He did not even know where Jiménez needs to be to deny him until told it in a television interview.
Francesco Molinari was, incredibly, the ninth player to have at least a share of the lead during the day's play.
English pair Gary Boyd and David Lynn and Frenchman Julien Guerrier were joint top overnight, but Guerrier managed only a 73, Boyd a 74 and Lynn a 77.
Dyson shares third spot now with Scot Stephen Gallacher, Oliver Wilson - one of the 2008 Ryder Cup side who is still seeking his first professional win - and French pair Guerrier and Gregory Bourdy.
Afterwards Francesco ruled out any sibling favours during the final round.
"I want to win - it's been four and a half years since I have," said the 2006 Italian Open champion.
“Game has been good all week, I played solid again today.
“It was a bit tricky because of the wind. I putted quite well, I have to say, and I'm really happy with the position I am in at the moment - just looking forward to tomorrow.”
Edoardo added: “I think I played a very good round of golf today.
“I hit every fairway and I hit a lot of greens and I had a lot of chances for birdie. It was a very good, solid round, and I've been playing very well all week to be honest.”
