Jamie Donaldson's D+D REAL Czech Masters lead came under threat before the Welshman had even teed off during the third round in Prague.
The 38 year old, looking to secure a Ryder Cup debut next month with a good performance at Albatross Golf Resort, opened with rounds of 66 and 69 to lead Gregory Bourdy by a shot on nine under par at the halfway stage.
But as the final pair prepared to tee off, England's Matthew Baldwin and Tommy Fleetwood and Donaldson's fellow Ryder Cup hopeful Stephen Gallacher had all joined Frenchman Bourdy on eight under par.
Baldwin had made the greatest move – full of confidence having already registered four top-five finishes on this season's Race to Dubai, the 28 year old went to the turn in 32 and birdied three of the next four holes to be seven under for the day with five to play.
Fleetwood and Scot Gallacher, who needs to garner as many Official World Golf Ranking points as possible to try and deny the likes of Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter an automatic spot on Paul McGinley's side, both birdied the par five first.
The third player looking to make Europe's Team, Dutchman Joost Luiten, was one over through eight holes and in all likelihood in need of a big performance at next week's Italian Open, the final event of the points race.
