Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño produced what he called the best round of his life to take the third round lead in The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.
But much though he wants to win the €579,340 first prize, there is something he wants more - his dog Petra to be found on the Costa del Sol.
The three year old shar pei has been lost since Thursday night after being frightened by fireworks outside his mother-in-law's home in Marbella.
Asked if he would rather take his fifth European Tour title or be told the dog had been found the 28 year old said: "Believe it or not, I am going to say find the dog - anything to see my wife happy."
He is prepared to offer a reward, but hastened to add: "Not tomorrow's cheque, that's for sure."
The Spaniard's seven under par 64 took him to 14 under for the week, one shot ahead of overnight leader Retief Goosen and Germany's Martin Kaymer.
About to become a father for the first time in eight weeks' time, the Madrid golfer "only" equalled the lowest round of his European Tour career.
But the British Masters champion stated: "That's the best ever - I've never struck the ball like that. Unfortunately my putting was not as good, but after a 64 I am not going to complain.
"It's funny. On the range I couldn't hit a shot. I hooked one five iron 80 yards left of my target."
On the course, though, he started with three birdies, converted another chance on the driveable ninth and posted three more birdies coming home.
Kaymer is looking for back-to-back wins following his Open de France ALSTOM play-off success over Lee Westwood last Sunday - and he did not drop a stroke either in a 66.
Goosen had been two in front of Adam Scott overnight, but after a smooth start bogeyed the tenth and 13th.
A 69 was still better than the Australian managed, however. Scott, watched again by tennis star Ana Ivanovic, mixed five birdies with five bogeys and a double bogey at the 415 yard 12th.
Welshman Jamie Donaldson moved up to joint fourth with Dane Søren Kjeldsen on 11 under, three behind, after a 65 - and is in position to claim the one Open Championship spot on offer.
Donaldson's only top ten finish this season was a fourth in Portugal over two months ago, but the 33 year old has stayed positive waiting for the next chance to come along.
"What are you going to do - sulk like a baby or get on with it?" said the former amateur star, who partnered Luke Donald and Paul Casey to help Britain and Ireland to second place in the 2000 world team championship.
While they became instant stars on turning professional, Donaldson had serious back problems and lost his European Tour card three years ago before regaining it through the Challenge Tour circuit.
"There's loads at stake, but I'm trying not to think about anything. One shot at a time, stay in the present."
Fernandez-Castaño did not have the only 64 of the day. Lee Westwood produced the other to continue his brilliant recovery from a chest infection, which almost forced him out on Thursday morning.
