English pair Matt Fitzpatrick and Danny Willett go into the final round of the Omega European Masters neck and neck on 12 under par after a rollercoaster third day at Crans-sur-Sierre.
The two former amateur stars – Willett was the top amateur in Europe while Fitzpatrick was World Number One in the unpaid ranks – had fluctuating fortunes as the wind got up in the third round, but both find themselves two shots ahead of Raphaël Jacquelin.
Willett started the day with a one shot lead, but struggled on the front nine and had two bogeys and a double bogey in his first four holes, the latter coming when he hit his approach out of bounds on the fourth.
Two further bogeys after the turn were eradicated with a 30 foot eagle on the 15th, but a one over par 71 saw the 27 year old, currently riding high at third on The Race to Dubai, leave the door ajar for the chasing pack.
It was former US Amateur Champion Fitzpatrick who took advantage, the 20 year old coming home in 30 for a sparkling 64.
A 20 footer on the 13th was followed by gains from closer range on the 14th and 15th, before another effort from 20 feet at the 17th completed Fitzpatrick’s scoring as he chases a maiden European Tour title.
“I didn’t get off to the best of starts, with a bogey at the first - at that point 74 was looking much more likely than 64,” said Fitzpatrick, who is enjoying a rookie season on The European Tour after coming through Qualifying School.
“I feel like I’ve been playing well for a while now, so it’s been coming but 65-64 yesterday and today is still good going.
“I also have to thank the dentists I visited yesterday, because I was in a lot of pain at the start of the week, but they did a pretty good job on me.
“I’ve just got to keep it going really. It sounds really boring, but I’ll be taking it one hole at a time and trying to stay in the moment, and stay patient. Although that’s easier said than done!”
Willett finished sixth at The Open Championship on Monday, his best Major finish, but revealed he had felt slightly unwell during his round.
“Golf’s not the greatest game when you’re feeling a little bit under the weather, but I won’t be using it as an excuse,” he said.
“It wasn’t the best of days, and the round could’ve got away from me early doors. So it was good to hang tough and finish off the round quite nicely.
“Hopefully that’s my one bad round out the way.
“If we get another day like today, not too many people are going to go low out there, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully I can commit to a few more shots than I did today.”
France’s Jacquelin took a shot more than Willett on the fourth as he carded a triple bogey seven, but eight birdies – including a 25 footer on the last – put the four-time European Tour winner firmly in contention on ten under par.
Defending champion David Lipsky lies fourth on nine under, with Korean pair Baek Seuk-hyun and Y E Yang a shot further back.
