Colin Montgomerie had a hole in one from 156 yards and Retief Goosen missed a putt from barely a foot, but the South African was still the one heading for victory in Munich.
After nine holes of his third round Goosen led the BMW International Open by three at 16 under par and it should have been more given his tiny miss for a three putt par on the long sixth.
The double US Open Championship winner had already had three birdies by then, however, so it was no cause for alarm and he made an eight footer on the ninth to turn in 32.
England's Nick Dougherty, who should qualify for The Open Championship with a top three finish, was in sole possession of second place after covering the front nine in 33.
There was still the possibility, though, of Bernhard Langer becoming the oldest winner in European Tour history.
The 51 year old German matched Goosen's outward half to be in a tie for third spot on 12 under with Dane Søren Kjeldsen and Englishman Graeme Storm, who had posted the low score of the day so far with his 64.
