Golf:Paul McGinley's challenge at the BMW International Open in Cologne disappeared in a hail of bogeys as the Dubliner posted a five-over-par 77 to slide back to four under at Gut Larchenhof.
That left him eight strokes adrift of leader Danny Willett, who takes a one-stroke lead over fellow Englishman Chris Wood and Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm into Sunday’s final round.
McGinley was two shots off the lead starting his third round and added a birdie at the first to move to 10 under. That was to be the end of his good form for the day, with the Dubliner carding six bogeys to fall down the leaderboard to s hare of 27th spot.
Willett will pursue his maiden European Tour victory after carding a three-under 69 after overnight leader Sjoholm surrendered his advantage with four bogeys on the opening nine holes.
It might have been better for Willett but he too had his share of trouble in difficult conditions, with three bogeys, including one on the 18th, trimming his lead.
“I got the ball under pretty good control most of the day,” said Willett. “The wind was whipping around a bit but I drove the ball great which makes it a lot easier around this golf course.
“If you want to be in contention, you have to have things go your way a little bit. It’s good to be back in a position where I feel like I should be.”
Sjoholm recovered from that rough start with a pair of birdies on the back nine, and at least left the course happy.
“I was in danger of a terrible finish, and instead I actually made two good pars out of nowhere,” he said.
“So it feels good, and I’m real excited for tomorrow. It’s going to be a really, really great day because I really love this place.”
Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti, who had been in a share of second with McGinley after the second round, suffered a double bogey on the 18th to sign for a 72 and drop down into a share of sixth place.
Damien McGrane is one under for the tournament after signing for a one-over 73, while Simon Thorton is one over after a 74 that included a double bogey at the ninth.
