Frenchman Gregory Bourdy saw his four-shot advantage halved by Rafa Cabrera-Bello in the third round of the Lyoness Open at Atzenbrugg.

Bourdy, chasing a fifth European Tour title, moved to 15 under at the Diamond Country Club after a three-under-par 69 while Spain’s Cabrera-Bello applied pressure with a superb 66.

The leaders’ rounds were split by a 95-minute suspension due to stormy weather in the area. Prior to the break Cabrera-Bello made an early surge, picking up five shots in his opening seven holes, including an eagle two at the third.

His charge cut Bourdy’s lead to one but the pair then became involved in an intriguing tussle.

After the resumption, Bourdy responded on the back nine to move back to four in front, only for a bogey on the par-five 15th to stall momentum.

Cabrera-Bello then rolled in three birdies in four holes to close back to one, but Bourdy’s fourth birdie of the day on the 16th put him two ahead again.

Bourdy said: “I am in a good position. It’s always nice to be two ahead going into the final round, but it will be a tough day and I am sure it will be an exciting day playing with Rafa, who is a great guy.”

Englishman Chris Wood had his progress checked by the weather delay.

Wood, second overnight, started superbly with birdies on the first three holes and then parred the next five before play was suspended.

But when he returned to the course he was forced to take a penalty drop after finding the trees on the ninth and took a double-bogey six. He responded with a birdie at the 10th but there was another bogey at the 17th.

He finished with a two at the last but his two-under-par 70 meant he was five shots off the lead on 10 under.

The 27-year-old believes he still has an opportunity to triumph.

He said: “The putt at the last was important and massively deserved because I just couldn’t seem to get the ball to drop having hit so many good putts. It was quite a frustrating day because of that.

“I am still confident about my chances tomorrow. I need to go out here and try to post a low score and put some pressure on them – if I can shoot something close to 66 it might be enough.”

Scotland’s Scott Jamieson shot a superb seven-under 65 to join Sheffield’s Matt Fitzpatrick, who carded 69, in a tie for fourth place on nine under.

Peter Lawrie carded a two over 74 to fall back to three under, a shot ahead of Simon Thornton (70) and Michael Hoey (72).