England’s Chris Wood, five behind midway through his second round, led by one shot after five holes of his third round at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Cologne.
After moving up to be joint 36-hole leader with Scott Strange, the 21 year old resumed with a superb approach to three feet and holed for birdie while the Australian, off much the longer drive, pitched over the green and bogeyed.
Wood, yet to record a bogey in his latest bid for a first European Tour title, parred the next four holes to remain 10 under par.
However, Strange slipped into a tie for ninth after bogeying the par three fourth to drop to seven under par.
Sweden’s Peter Hanson picked up three shots today to move into a share of second on nine under with Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen.
Fellow Dane Soren Hansen, Englishman Ross Fisher and South African James Kingston were among a group of seven tied for fourth on eight under.
Wood could become just the third player in the history of the circuit to go through a tournament without dropping a shot. The pressure is bound to build, but he is lapping that up.
"Fortunately I've had two great experiences of being up there in a major. This year I really had a chance to win one and you're not going to get much more pressure than that.
"I love being in front of crowds and on TV. When you are playing well you almost feel you can show off a bit - not in an arrogant way, but you feel you are taking centre stage.
"That's why you are putting in all the work. As long as I keep putting myself in position I know a win is going to happen - hopefully sooner rather than later."
