Darren Clarke misjudged his approach to the 17th, which led to a bogey, leaving a bad taste in the mouth but on the whole the Ulsterman should have good reason to be cheerful as he shares the overnight lead going into the final day of the Compass English Open.
"This is definitely a tournament I should have in the bag already," said Clarke whose 68 happened to be the worst score among the top five players. At 13-under 203, Clarke shares the top spot with France’s Raphael Jacquelin who boosted his position with a fine 65.
Denmark’s Soren Hansen shot the low round of the day 64 to share third on 12-under alongside England’s Steve Webster who, despite heavily strapped wrists, equalled the Frenchman’s 65.
Up until the 17th Clarke put on a masterclass in ball-striking and course management but the lapse in concentration made finishing the round more difficult than should have been necessary. Previously, the 34-year-old had made three birdies and an eagle three at the 12th, answering all challenges to his lead along the way.
"I hit it great all day from tee to green until the 17th. It was my only poor drive, and then I overhit my third shot," explained Clarke who failed to get up and down for his only bogey of the day.
It must have got the blood boiling as he stepped up to the par three 18th, "I absolutely flushed a five-iron, and it went 220 yards" but missed the green. An ordinary recovery left a tricky 10-footer for par, which he nonchalantly rammed home to end the frustration.
Earlier the three other Irish players who made the cut, Eamonn Darcy (73), Philip Walton (72) and Paul McGinley (72) all finished their day tied on one-under overall.
Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance (65) and Sandy Lyle (66) produced blasts from the past, the former to give himself a chance to become the oldest winner in European tour history and the latter to end a 10-year barren spell. They go into the final round in joint eighth place on nine under.
Clarke’s finish has allowed any one of a dozen players, within four shots of his joint lead, the opportunity to strike in tomorrow’s final round. However, those aspiring to such notions would do well to remember that Clarke has won this event in 1999 and 2000 and finished tied fifth last year.
And he would like nothing more than a winning send-off before teeing it up in next week's US Open alongside Tiger Woods for the opening two rounds.
"I've shared the lead all three days so far and I hope I'll not be sharing it tomorrow night," concluded Clarke.