While most of Europe's Ryder Cup hopefuls battled for points at the K Club today there was a chance the most significant move in the table could come late in the day across the Atlantic in Illinois.

Swede Carl Pettersson was lying second - two behind Vijay Singh - with a round to go in the Cialis Western Open at Cog Hill.

Most interest was on whether Tiger Woods, 82nd after his opening 72, could win the title after rounds of 67 and 66 had lifted him into a tie for seventh only three shots back.

But Pettersson had a chance for his second US Tour victory in six weeks - and one which could lift him into fifth place in the Ryder Cup table.

Not that he seemed aware of that entering the final 18 holes.

After a six under 65 lifted him from 35th to second Pettersson was asked where he stood and said: "I don't even know. It's so confusing because I don't know who drops out and who does what.

"Other people are reminding me about it a little bit, but I'm trying not to think about it too much. I'm just trying to play good golf and hopefully it will take care of itself. It's definitely in the back of my mind, but I'm trying just to concentrate on the tournaments coming up and play well.

"If I make it, great. If not, no big deal. I just try not to get worked up about it and it seems to be working."

Pettersson would actually be leading the Ryder Cup standings if he had been a European Tour member from the start of qualifying.

He joined the week he finished second in the Southern Farm Classic last November and the world ranking points he earned appeared on the table first of all, but were then taken off because it was before the start of the new season.

In total he missed out on nearly 100 points he picked up at the start of the qualifying race - he won the Chrysler Championship in October.

Meanwhile, Justin Rose could claim a place in the Open at the Western Open. He also fired a third round 65 to leap from 69th to 15th and needs to be the leading non-exempt player in the top 10 tonight to qualify for Hoylake.