Welshman Bradley Dredge extended his lead in the BMW International Open to three strokes after shooting a 5-under 67 in the third round on Saturday.
Dredge led by one stroke at the halfway stage and is now at an 18-under 198. He started with three birdies in the first five holes, despite several poor recent weekends in tournaments.
Ross Fisher of England shot 66 for an overall 15-under after an eagle and five birdies for 66. Fisher shares second with Irishman Simon Thornton (67).
Dredge is chasing his third European Tour title and his first since the 2006 Omega Masters in Switzerland. He knows he will have to shoot low again with the greens at the Golfclub Munchen Eichenreid softened by weeks of heavy rain.
``That start was just what I needed. I chipped in from the back of the first green which helped , put the ball stone dead at the third and then holed a 15 footer on the fifth,'' Dredge said. ``But the way this course has been playing there are always going to be guys shooting low...In the fourth round I will attack all the pins when I can with my wedges and short irons.''
Fisher's form since he won the 2009 Volvo World Matchplay in Spain has been disappointing with missed cuts at both the Masters and U.S. Open.
``I would say it was probably as good as I have hit the ball for a long time,'' Fisher said of his round. ``It reminded me of when I breezed my way around Wentworth in 64 shots last year. I know that, if I can sink a few more putts, there could be a ridiculously low round in me.''
Thornton, age 33, only claimed the 29th card at European Tour School last year and has never played in the final group going into the fourth round of a main tour event before.
``There has to be a first time for everything,'' Thornton said. ``I heard someone say that four 67s should be good enough to win round here. Well I have got three of them now, let's hope I can shoot the fourth.''
Paul Lawrie of Scotland reached 14-under and fourth place after a 68.
Three players are a shot further back in fifth place - David Horsey of England, Peter Whiteford of Scotland and Ignacio Garrido of Spain.
