Ian Poulter equalled the Forest of Arden course record of 63 on this morning to surge into the British Masters lead and give himself the chance of a second straight victory.
The 27-year-old Briton, who won last week's Wales Open, three-putted the last to miss out on a new record, but his sparkling third round left him on nine-under-par 207.
Poulter and his compatriot Justin Rose produced a thrilling finale in this event last year before Rose prevailed by a single stroke.
But this time Rose was left trailing in his friend's wake, his 73 leaving him 10 strokes off the pace.
Poulter's nearest challengers, one shot behind, were Australian left-hander Richard Green and Briton Greg Owen, who were due to start their third rounds later in the day.
While Poulter shot a 61 to win last year's Italian Open, he rated this round better.
"This was probably my best chance to shoot a 59," the Englishman said. "I missed five putts from eight feet - it was a massive chance.
Poulter, who was suffering from tonsillitis in Wales last week, reverted to the less aggressive approach that brought him his fourth career tour victory.
"For the first two rounds here I was trying to hit the ball too hard again and lost rhythm," he said.
"It's very easy to feel you've got more energy and try to hit too hard. But my manager and my step-dad told me I was hitting too hard and I went back to how I was last week, hitting about 80-85 per cent.
Poulter's rise up the money-list - he climbed from 135th to 14th following last week's Celtic Manor triumph - looks set to continue.
After missing five out of six cuts while swing changes introduced by David Leadbetter took effect, the 2000 rookie of the year now believes his game has the consistency he craved when going to the respected coach who turned his role model Nick Faldo into a major champion.
Poulter's 63 equalled the course record set by Colin Montgomerie in 1997. The former European Number One missed the cut in this year's tournament.
Ireland's challengers have enjoyed a steady start to the day with a Peter Lawrie leading the way on three under after 17 holes.
Damian McGrane and Darren Clarke are both on two under after seven and six holes respectively.