Australian left-hander Richard Green, seeking his second European Tour title 10 years after his first, took a three-shot lead over Richard McEvoy after the Austrian Open third round on Saturday.
The 36-year-old from Melbourne again showed his liking for the Fontana course, producing a flawless four-under 67 for a 15-under tally of 198.
Green, one of the course record holders after shooting a 63 last year, was four strokes better than former Ryder Cup man Miguel Angel Jimenez (69) and Steven Jeppesen (69).
"I feel comfortable on the course, it suits the way I like to putt," Green said. "I'll be fairly anxious to win because it's been a long time but I won't be desperate because I'm not going to put any undue pressure on myself. It's hard to put a finger on why I've not won again but I do now have more self-belief."
Green's maiden tour victory came at the 1997 Dubai Desert Classic.
McEvoy, 27, played in the same victorious 2001 Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team against the US as Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Nick Dougherty and Marc Warren, all of whom have won on tour.
His progress has been faltering, however, and McEvoy is anxious to repeat the feat of his former amateur peers.
"It's a bit tough at times when they are going out and winning tournaments, especially Luke, and you remember being at their standard, but it does give you the determination to do it," said McEvoy after firing a seven-under 64.
Lee Westwood slumped 15 strokes off the pace after carding two quadruple-bogey nines. The former European number one, who will compete in next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont, fluffed three chips in the rough at the 15th and twice found the lake at the 18th as he went round in 75.
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