Rafa Echenique remained on course for a first European Tour title at the Open de France ALSTOM but the field were closing in on the Argentinian as the final round got under way.
Echenique birdied the fourth at Le Golf National to go 12 under par for the week, but nearest challenger Martin Kaymer also picked up a shot to stay one behind after four holes.
Sweden’s Peter Hanson gained two shots to advance to ten under through five holes and claim third place.
Ryder Cup Dane Søren Hansen was seven under for the day with one to play and looked likely to set the clubhouse target at nine under par.
His compatriot and namesake Anders Hansen had also reached nine under, but had seven holes remaining, while English duo Lee Westwood and Seve Benson were on the same mark through six and five holes respectively.
