Eddie Pepperell was making a charge up the leaderboard as the fog-delayed third round of the British Masters supported by Sky Sports got under way at Woburn.
The start of the day's play was put back 38 minutes due to early morning fog but when play got started, it became apparent that low scores could be possible on Moving Day in the slightly softer conditions as the field attempted to chase down Matthew Fitzpatrick and Søren Kjeldsen.
Pepperell is still seeking a first European Tour win but has had four top tens this year and made a birdie on the second before giving the shot straight back. His momentum was not slowed, however, and the Englishman made further gains on the fourth and sixth before an eagle on the seventh took him to six under for the tournament.
The 24 year old then dropped a shot on the eighth but picked it back up on the ninth to make the turn in 31 and sit just three behind leaders.
Darren Fichardt was five under for the day after birdies on the fifth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 12th and he sat alongside Pepperell and Niall Kearney at six under. Irishman Kearney was two under through six holes on Saturday.
Tournament host Ian Poulter had birdied the fourth to get to five under and he said after posting a 70 on Friday that he knew what he had to do to get right into contention.
"I'm on my home course where I know it very well," he said. "It is time to press Saturday, Sunday. I know what I have to do. There's nothing else I can do apart from press now.
"I'm five back, but five is very achievable on this course, the way I know the greens."
David Horsey was then a further shot back after picking up three shots in his first 11 holes.
Leaders Kjeldsen and Fitzpatrick sat at nine under and held a one-shot advantage over Richard Bland and Kiradech Aphibarnrat with Robert Karlsson and Shane Lowry a further shot back.
Bradley Dredge had also been in the group at seven under but was forced to withdraw on Saturday morning due to a viral infection.
