Englishman Matt Wallace will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Italian Open but he has a high-quality chasing pack breathing down his neck.
Halfway co-leader Wallace carded five birdies and a single bogey on Saturday before pulling off a tremendous par save at the 18th to move to 17 under par.
Defending champion Francesco Molinari and last week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner Tyrrell Hatton - celebrating his 26th birthday - were two shots further back in a tie for second.
South African George Coetzee was in a share of fourth place after firing two eagles in his third-round 65, with Kiradech Aphibarnrat also on 14 under.
Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex leader Tommy Fleetwood posted a superb eight-under-par 63 earlier in the day to get to 13 under.
Wallace started the day alongside Australian Marcus Fraser on 13 under par, two shots clear of their nearest challengers.
But with several players making the most of favourable scoring conditions at Golf Club Milano early on Saturday, their lead was reduced to a single shot by the time they arrived at the first tee.
Wallace began his round with a birdie at the long first for the third day in succession before tapping in from four feet for another at the fifth to get to 15 under and extend his advantage at the top to two shots.
But a missed par putt at the short seventh and a birdie for Hatton at the ninth dropped Wallace into a share of the lead.
Wallace found himself in a three-way tie at the top when Coetzee rolled in from around 30 feet at the 14th for his second eagle of the day to join the Englishmen on 14 under.
But he soon regained the outright lead, knocking in his eight-foot birdie putt at the ninth to return to 15 under.
I'd say we're probably only halfway there, halfway done, because Sunday is a different day - Matt Wallace
The 2017 Open de Portugal at Morgado Golf Resort winner rolled in a monster birdie putt at the 13th from some 40 feet before taking advantage of the long 14th for the third day in a row to climb to 17 under.
And Wallace made an important par save at the last after getting into tree trouble off the tee to maintain his two-shot lead.
Wallace, who failed to make the cut in all four of the previous Rolex Series events, has got his eyes on the prize ahead of the final round.
He said: "I'd say we're probably only halfway there, halfway done, because Sunday is a different day.
"I'm going to go out, fight as hard as I can and hopefully be standing here with the trophy tomorrow.
"Like I said yesterday and the day before, I'm playing some really nice stuff."
Italian Molinari put on a show for the home fans on day three, notching birdies at the third, sixth and ninth to reach the turn in 33.
He picked up another shot at the 14th before curling in his birdie putt at the 17th to get within two shots of the lead.
He said: "I'm very pleased. I played very well.
"I think the game has been improving throughout the week, which is important.
"Obviously I know it's going to be tough tomorrow but I'm in a good position.
"It won't be easy for anyone, but I'm happy to be in the mix.
"I'm just looking forward to the last day of such a great event, with great crowds."
Hatton enjoyed a fast start to his third round, climbing into contention courtesy of six birdies on his front nine - including four in a row from the fourth - while his only blemish came at the short third.
The Englishman then holed his close-range birdie putt at the par-five 14th to get to 15 under par.
"I played really nicely all day to be honest," said Hatton. "I holed quite a few putts on the front nine, and sadly, I just couldn't make the most of my opportunities on the back nine.
"So you know, it was a game of two halves on the greens but I'm in a good position going into tomorrow."
