Guido Migliozzi finished with a flurry of birdies to join Laurie Canter at the top of the leaderboard heading into the final round of the European Open.
The Italian started the day six shots behind overnight leader Canter but a bogey-free six under par round of 67 saw him join the Englishman on 12 under at Green Eagle Golf Courses as he looks to secure a fourth DP World Tour win.
The 27-year-old made two birdies on the front nine to make the turn in 33, before four more gains on the back nine, including three in his last four holes, put him into contention in Germany.
Canter held a four-shot lead early in the round but dropped three shots in as many holes around the turn before fighting back to card a level-par 73 and return to the summit.
The 34-year-old is looking for a first DP World Tour win having finished runner-up on four occasions and was pleased with the way he was able to stay in the mix on the formidable Porsche Nord Course.
Dane Niklas Nørgaard sits in third place on 11 under par, while home favourite Jannik De Bruyn and Frenchman Tom Vaillant are a shot further back in fourth.
Eight-time DP World Tour winner Bernd Wiesberger posted a six under par round of 67 to move into sixth position on nine under, while defending champion Tom McKibbin, Ivan Cantero of Spain and South African Jayden Schaper share seventh on eight under.
Player quotes
Guido Migliozzi: I played great, I played solid, I was very focused on every shot. It was not easy to be in the present, but I managed the day today very well.
I feel more comfortable on the golf course, I’m having fun. I’m feeling the shots better so to have the power to have more consistency on the shots gives me more confidence.
It’s good to be in the mix tomorrow. I’m just going to try to do the same: stay focused shot by shot and stay patient.
Laurie Canter: I’m pretty pleased with ending up there, I did not play well today. I hit a couple of really poor drives, especially going into the back nine. I missed a tap-in on eight. I didn’t really feel like I played that well at all today. I hung in pretty well, I had some really good little up-and-downs on the back nine to keep myself in it so overall I’m pretty pleased with that.
I really want to win, there’s nothing for me to lose or worry about in that respect. I’m going to try and win the tournament. I felt like I tried to do that today. I felt at times today that round could have got away from me and turned to two, three over par. Hopefully that’s the sticky round behind me.
The golf course is a little bit dry, one extra bounce on the greens, if we get some wind tomorrow it’s going to be an awesome test. So, I just want to go out and relish that tomorrow and absolutely try and win the tournament but first and foremost take care of my end of that and play and plan as well as I can to hopefully achieve that.
Niklas Nørgaard: It was great to play in the final group and I felt surprisingly good and confident out there. I’m going to try and take that mentality into the final round tomorrow. I’m so excited to get out there and I’m feeling really good in my game.
I can take so much confidence from being in contention last week in Soudal and I know I can hit good shots under pressure on the final holes. I’ve shown myself that I am capable but tomorrow is a new day and I’m just going to go out there and play the best I can.
