Daniel Vancsik birdied two of his first four holes to extend his lead in the BMW Italian Open to three shots, but home favourite Francesco Molinari was making an impressive charge.
Argentina’s Vancsik picked up shots at the first and fourth to reach 13 under for the week through four holes.
Molinari appeared to have dropped out of contention with a third round 73, but he added to three birdies on the front nine with a hattrick from the tenth to reach six under for the day and nine under for the week.
However, the Italian was running out of holes with only five holes left in his round to make up the ground.
Gareth Maybin picked up a shot at the sixth to climb to ten under and was Vancsik’s nearest rival as an intriguing final day brewed at Royal Park I Roveri.
Alastair Forsyth, Thomas Björn, Raphaël Jacquelin and Thomas Aiken were all nine under par on the course.
