Martin Kaymer and Alejandro Cañizares will share the lead heading into the final round of the 2021 Austrian Golf Open as they both look to end a seven year winless run on the European Tour.
Cañizares has led since an opening 67 at Diamond Country Club and a 70 on Moving Day took him to nine under in his quest to be the 2021 Race to Dubai's first wire to wire winner.
Kaymer is a two time Major Champion but his last win was his emphatic 2014 triumph at the U.S. Open and he carded a third round 69 to join the Spaniard at the summit.
German Maximilian Kieffer was at eight under after a 68, a shot clear of American John Catlin, who carded a 71.
Cañizares' last victory was at the 2014 Trophée Hassan II, and the two time European Tour winner has had to come through the last two Qualifying Schools, winning in 2018.
Kaymer has had no such worries and after finishing second and third in back to back events last autumn, the German feels he is getting closer to European Tour victory number 12.
"Mentally I'm really excited about tomorrow," he said. "It doesn't really matter what happens tomorrow, if you win or not it's nice to be in that position, to have an opportunity to win a golf tournament.
"Last year I had a couple of chances which I didn't use. More often as you get into that position I think you get more comfortable and then it's just a matter of time.
"After three days I think I'm happy to go out tomorrow and see what happens.
"It's just nice for your confidence, for your belief that you can win again. For me that has been a while. We are obviously not there yet but it's nice to be in that position and I look forward to it."
Cañizares had quickly seen his overnight lead evaporate on day two and it happened again on Saturday as Kaymer made a two putt birdie on the first and then holed from 12 feet on the second to hit the summit.
The 38-year-old put an approach to eight feet on the third to rejoin the lead and that prompted a flurry of birdies as he two putted the par five fourth, put an approach to 12 feet on the fifth and then a tee shot to four feet on the par three sixth to lead by three.
Kaymer trimmed the gap with a stunning second into the seventh and, when Cañizares failed to get out of a bunker on the same hole after finding a plugged lie, he surrendered a double bogey and we were once again tied at the top.
Kaymer holed an 18 footer on the tenth to edge ahead but Cañizares was not to be outdone and holed from twice that distance on the ninth to get back to double figures.
A poor chip saw Kaymer bogey the 11th and Cañizares found water on the tenth for a double, as Kieffer continued quietly going about his business.
The 30-year-old had taken advantage of the two par fives and added birdies on the third and seventh before he holed a very long putt on the 12th to sit alongside Kaymer.
He had a golden opportunity to take the solo lead on the next but three putted from inside five feet and Kaymer led alone.
A poor tee shot on the 14th meant Kieffer was two back and Cañizares put his second to tap-in range on the 12th to rejoin the lead.
Kaymer three putted the 15th but holed a very long putt on the next to move back into a share, while Kieffer holed from 12 feet on the 16th to get back to eight under.
"If you told me going into the week I’m going to be leading by Sunday I would be having some champagne already, so it’s a good thing," said Cañizares.
"I just need to keep doing what I’m doing, I’m hitting the ball good, I’m hitting my tee shots really well, my second shots well. I just need to keep calm, keep the head on my shoulders and just play my golf."
Catlin was two over for his round after 11 holes but birdied the 12th, 15th and last to sit a shot ahead of England's Daniel Gavins, South African Jacques Kruyswijk and Dutchman Joost Luiten.
German Nicolai von Dellingshausen fired the lowest round of the week with a 65 to sit at five under, one ahead of local favourite Matthias Schwab, Englishman Marcus Armitage, Australia's Austin Bautista, South African Garrick Higgo and Frenchman Adrien Saddier.
