Martin Kaymer edged closer to a first win since his US Open triumph last year when he grabbed a share of the Italian Open third round lead on Saturday.
The German carded a 65 to move alongside Sweden’s Jens Fahrbring and Romain Wattel of France on 199 for the tournament at 17 under par.
“I started off well,” said Kaymer. “But those last three holes I think I left a couple out there especially on 16 and 17, they were good putts they just didn’t go in. Sixteen was a very very poor chip but that’s okay, seven under par is a very good round.
“I’ve placed myself in a very good position for tomorrow.”
Kaymer had started the day three shots behind Fahrbring and Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark.
Two shots off the lead after the third round are Bjerregaard, Italy’s Fabrizio Zanotti and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger.
Francesco Molinari leads the Italian charge on 11 under, six off the pace.
South Korea’s Y E Yang is eight under but he had the consolation of a hole in one on the 12th hole, the 42nd on the European Tour this season.