Matt Fitzpatrick will take a two-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the European Masters where victory should guarantee him a place at the Ryder Cup.
A two-time winner of the Swiss event, the Englishman carded a third-round 67 to move to 15 under par for the tournament.
The 29-year-old former US Open champion, who became the first player since Seve Ballesteros to defend a title at Crans-sur-Sierre with wins in 2017 and 2018, is two clear of Swedes Ludvig Aberg and Alexander Bjork and Scotland’s Connor Syme.
South Africa’s Oliver Bekker is 11 under (T7) after a third-round 66 that included seven birdies and three bogies, with JC Ritchie a further shot behind after carding 67.
Europe captain Luke Donald is set to name his team to face the United States later this month on Monday.
© Agence France-Presse
