England's Lee Slattery stormed into the lead with a best-of-the-week 62 on day three of the Italian Open at Gardagolf Country Club.
The 39 year old made eight birdies, an eagle and a single bogey in his nine-under-par round, which took him to 16 under for the week.
That was one ahead of Denmark's Thorbjørn Olesen and home favourite Francesco Molinari, with halfway leader Martin Kaymer and former Masters Tournament winner Danny Willett a shot further back.
“It was very relaxing, playing with two good guys, Laurie Canter and Richard Sterne, know them both quite well, and we just enjoyed it,” Slattery said.
“When you get in that zone, you just keep making birdies. It’s a great feeling.
“I’ll just try and relax and just enjoy it tomorrow.”
Slattery had led during the second round only to drop three shots in two holes from the third – his 12th – on Friday.
However, he was soon back on the leaderboard when the third round began, making birdies at the fourth and sixth before taking advantage of an excellent approach to the seventh by rolling in a ten footer for eagle.
The two-time European Tour winner made another gain at the tenth before taking advantage of some good fortune at the short 12th. A wayward approach shot rolled down a steep bank and across the green towards the water, only to pull up six inches short.
Although Slattery failed to get up-and-down for par, his bogey could have been far worse and he bounced back with a hat-trick of gains before converting from 12 feet at the last.
Last week's Wentworth winner Molinari extended his run of holes without a bogey to 85 before dropping a shot on the sixth, but also carded six birdies – including a lengthy effort on the 18th which delighted the locals in Brescia.
“It's great to see so many kids out there, just huge crowds,” said Molinari. “I'm happy to be part of it. Hopefully I contributed last weekend with the play this week, and aim for a fun day tomorrow.
“It was a very big roar, great finish. I got lucky with the tee shot in a decent enough spot and it was a good second shot. It was a tricky putt but managed to make it. Another good day, amazing crowds and hopefully we're in for some fun tomorrow.”
Olesen made seven birdies before dropping his only shot of the day on the 16th after three-putting for a round of 65.
“I like to be in the mix and I like to be up there, and in the past I've been pretty good to take advantage when I've had my chances,” said Olesen.
“Hopefully I can come into the back nine tomorrow and have a chance to win.”
Major champions Kaymer and Willett have both struggled for form of late but kept their chances alive with rounds of 68 and 67 respectively, with English pair Andy Sullivan and Jordan Smith round in 65 to share sixth on 13 under with China's Li Haotong (67) and Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello (68).
