Lee Slattery will take a two shot lead into the final round of the M2M Russian Open after bouncing back from a double bogey on a weather affected third day.
After play had been delayed by one hour and 35 minutes due to heavy rain on Saturday morning, Slattery carded a four under par 67 to move to 13 under.
Craig Lee and Estanislao Goya are in a tie for second place on 11 under, with defending champion David Horsey a further stroke back.
Slattery, who began the day one shot behind overnight leader Bradley Dredge, made gains at the third and fifth holes to take a share of the lead at the turn.
It’s the old cliché, take it one shot at a time - that’s what I’ll be doing tomorrow.
Lee Slattery
A birdie at the tenth handed Slattery the outright lead but he double bogeyed the next to slip back to ten under.
The 37 year old recovered admirably, carding birdies at the 12th and 14th before adding another at the last to finish the day with a healthy lead.
Slattery is looking forward to the final round. He said: “It’s very similar to my last win actually, I had a two shot lead there on the final day.
"I remember losing the lead quite early but it pushed me on to play well again so it’s similar, similar feelings, and I’m just going to go out and enjoy it tomorrow.
"It’s the old cliché, take it one shot at a time - that’s what I’ll be doing tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it.
“I hit a really nice drive at 18, one of the best of the day, and then a three iron rescue which has been carrying all week. It’s been a great club for me this week, especially on a lot of the par threes that play long. It was a nice way to finish the round off."
Scotsman Lee carded five birdies on Saturday on his way to adding a 66 to the rounds of 67 and 69 he shot on Thursday and Friday respectively.
Lee said: "I’m delighted with five under. I certainly would have taken it before we went out.
"Obviously the weather has been tough for the morning groups and we got the lucky end of the draw. I had left my hotel when play had been suspended so I didn’t have to warm up in the rain but it's been very testing."
The Argentine was thrilled to be in the hunt heading into the final day. He said: “I’m very pleased, it’s a bogey free round again so I’m very happy about that.
"It was tougher definitely, it was wet and played longer. The wind changed a little bit at times and the ball wasn’t flying as much.
“I have a chance for tomorrow too so I’ll make the most of it. It’s the place I want to be, in the last group, to try to put some pressure on and hopefully I can have a good tournament."
Horsey was pleased with his performance on day three. He said: "Saturday is moving day so it is always nice to make a move up the leaderboard.
"I played nicely out there and I’m very pleased with my position going into the final day.
"The delay was actually a bit of a blessing because it was hammering it down beforehand so that extra hour and a half helped me out a little bit and we hardly had any rain this afternoon.
“I’m playing nicely at the moment so I just have to stick to my game plan again tomorrow and see where I am coming down the stretch.”
Dredge slipped to nine under par after firing three birdies and four bogeys in his one over par 72.
