Michael Lorenzo-Vera and Anthony Wall held the lead as the third round of The European Open continued at a sun-drenched The London Club.
But the field was bunching up behind them as a host of players positioned themselves for a final round title charge.
Overnight joint leader Lorenzo-Vera of France birdied his opening hole, but a bogey at the third checked his progress and he remained eight under through five holes.
Wall joined him by playing his first six holes in one under par, as Jeev Milkha Singh dropped to seven under.
The Indian was joined by Christian Cévaër of France and Australia’s Marcus Fraser, both of whom were still on the front nine.
On the back nine, England’s Chris Wood – who shot to prominence at last year’s Open Championship as an amateur – was five under for the round with three to play to hold a share of third place.
Big hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros was also on seven under, a flurry of birdies on the front nine taking him to four under for the day.
Rory McIlroy and Anders Hansen have both won on The European Tour this year and they were both in contention at six under, along with Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, England’s Steve Webster and Spain’s José Manuel Lara.
