Martin Kaymer gave Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke a reminder of his qualities as he continued his fine recent form on day three of the Made in Denmark.
The German has qualified for the last three victorious Ryder Cup teams but is relying on a pick for Hazeltine in September, with Clarke naming his three choices on Tuesday.
Kaymer has not won since he claimed his second Major Championship at the 2014 US Open but has five top tens in his last nine starts and picked up six shots in 11 holes on Saturday to get to nine under and sit just four off the lead held by Bradley Dredge.
The 31 year old made an eagle on the sixth - taking his score to four under on that hole this week - and added birdies on the second, fourth, fifth and seventh.
Dredge, meanwhile, made three opening pars to stay at 13 under but saw his overnight lead cut to one shot as playing partner Joakim Lagergren made birdies on the second and third.
Thomas Pieters is also in the hunt for a Captain's pick and he made a birdie-bogey-birdie start to get to ten under.
Last season's Road to Oman winner Ricardo Gouveia made three birdies in his first five holes to join Kaymer at nine under, with Oliver Wilson and Adrian Otaegui also at that mark.
David Lipsky and Richard Sterne were then at eight under, with local duo Søren Kjeldsen and Jeff Winther, Paul Dunne and Edoardo Molinari all a further shot back.
Dane Sebastian Cappelen delighted the local crowd on Himmerland Hill as he made the second hole-in-one of the week at the 16th, holing a pitching wedge from 96 yards.
