Jamie Moul, playing only his second European Tour event, is just one shot off mikael Lundberg's lead going into tomorrow's final round of the Inteco Russian Open.
The Englishman, a former world amateur number one, birdied the final three holes at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club to shoot a superb third round 64, the lowest score of the day.
The 23-year-old, who turned professional last September after playing in the Walker Cup, had also carded five birdies on the front nine and looked like leading overnight until Sweden's Lundberg holed his third shot to the par-five 15th for an eagle.
Lundberg, winner here in 2005, recorded a 68 to lead on 17 under par, one ahead of Moul, with England's Benn Barham and South African Michiel Bothma three shots off the lead on 14-under-par.
Former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin is a shot further back alongside England's Robert Rock and South African Darren Fichardt.
Ireland's David Higgins shot a 68 to move to six under but Gary Murphy carded a 73 that leaves him with the 'also-rans' on two under
Sandelin began the day tied for the lead with compatriot Lundberg but could only manage a level par 72 as he tries to win his first European Tour title since 2002.
Moul shot rounds of 79 and 78 on his only previous European Tour start in South Africa in December last year, and has won just #2,482 from six starts on the Challenge Tour in 2008.
But victory tomorrow would be worth #166,000 and a two-year tour exemption which would secure his playing rights until the end of the 2010 season.
"It's been a bit slow to be honest," Moul said of his season so far on www.europeantour.com.
"It didn't start off great but I have been starting to play well over the last couple of months.
"The scores haven't really reflected that so it's nice to see them going into the red for once. I am quite happy with my game now. I have played six Challenge Tour events and my game has been there or thereabouts.
"This is a great event and I am very thankful for the invitation to come out here and play. It's an interesting place — certainly not your run-of-the-mill tournament as I know it."
