Alexander Levy will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge supported by Finnish Golf Union after he posted a bogey-free eight under par round of 64 at Vierumäki Resort.
There was a delay of two hours and ten minutes due to fog early in the morning in Finland but when play got under way, the Frenchman carded eight birdies to move into pole position on 18 under and two ahead of Spaniard Angel Ayora in second.
The five-time DP World Tour winner, currently sitting in eighth position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, is targeting a maiden Challenge Tour victory this week which would all but secure a return to Golf’s Global Tour.
“It was a good day and I holed some nice putts,” he said. “I’m very pleased. There are lots of opportunities around here and it’s important to be aggressive on the par fives and you must putt well.
“It’s my goal to return to the DP World Tour. I know that a win this week can get the job done for me and the quicker I can secure my card the better.
“I’m trying not to get ahead of myself because I need to focus on each tournament at a time. I’m enjoying my golf at the moment, and I know if I am playing well then I am good enough to get my card back.”
The 34-year-old is enjoying the company of his father Philippe, who is caddying for him for the first time on Tour this week.
“It’s nice to have my dad with me this week and have that support,” he said. “It doesn’t happen very often, and this is the first time he has caddied for me on Tour. We are enjoying ourselves out there and it’s a very cool experience.
“I need to keep what I’m doing because it has worked for me over the first three days, and we will see what happens tomorrow.”
Sweden’s Oliver Gillberg carded a five under 67 to move into third position on 15 under par, while Spaniard Quim Vidal is a shot further back in fourth.
Welshman Oliver Farr shares fifth place with Swedish trio Mikael Lindberg, Niklas Lemke and Christofer Blomstrand on 13 under par.