Thongchai Jaidee took a three-shot lead into the final nine holes of the 100th Open de France as he went in search of an eighth European Tour title at Le Golf National.
The Thai extended his bogey-free run to 31 holes as he turned in 34 to get to ten under and open up a comfortable gap to two-time Major Championship winner Martin Kaymer, who was four under for his round through ten holes.
World Number Four Rory McIlroy was at five under after turning in one over par 37, alongside Italian Francesco Molinari who had six holes remaining.
Jaidee came into the final round with a two-shot lead and extended that to five at one point as the chasing pack jostled for position without applying any great pressure on the 46 year old.
Kaymer was the one to eventually break out of the pack with birdies on the eighth and tenth but Jaidee was a picture of consistency, not leaving anything beyond six feet to save par.
Molinari made the early charge with a run of four birdies from the third while Kaymer birdied the second after a brilliant tee-shot to close range and added another on the fifth.
Jaidee was going about his business with the minimum of fuss and he rolled his third shot from the fringe to within tap-in range on the par five third and then birdied the sixth for the fourth time this week as he put his approach to four feet.
When Molinari bogeyed the ninth the lead was five shots but Kaymer set about cutting that gap with a beautiful putt down the slope on the eighth and he made another gain on the tenth after a smart par save at the turn.
McIlroy had dropped back to five under after getting in trouble on the third and missing a short putt.
Defending champion Bernd Wiesberger, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Alex Noren and Andy Sullivan were then at four under, with Noren, Brandon Stone, Callum Shinkwin and Johan Carlsson occupying the four spaces to qualify for the Open Championship at Royal Troon.
