Welshman Ian Woosnam shot himself back into contention in the Lancome Trophy today when he shot a third round six-under 65 to be only one off the lead.
Overnight leader Maarten Lafeber, looking for his first ever European Tour victory, caught the worst of the swirling wind and quickly saw his overnight two hole lead over Germany's Alex Cejka blown away in a disastrous inward nine.
By the time he had reached the 15th he had carded two bogeys and a double and finished with a three-over 74 and tied at nine-under with Cejka who shot a one-over 72.
Woosnam, who will be defending his World Match Play title at Wentworth next week, began in spectacular fashion when he holed his approach to the par-four 10th - his first hole. He promptly followed that with a birdie and went out in four-under 31.
His only blemish was a bogey on the dog-leg par four second when he tried to cut off too much of the bend and ended up in the trees. But after his round Woosnam was confident of his chances.
"I think I can reel in the leader," he forecast. But that was with Lafeber still out on the course and 14-under.
Nick Faldo recovered from his three-over 74 on Friday to card a 68 and revive hopes of his first European Tour victory for six years. His score could have been even better but for letting it get away from in the closing holes, dropping from eight-under for the championship to six-under.
Thomas Bjorn withdrew with a wrist injury after shooting a ten-over 81 then tried to make light of the public, who were criticised by local player Jean Francois Remesy for not being knowledgeable about golf. Most of whom seemed to be using their mobile phones.
Waiting to drive off, Bjorn walked over to one spectator talking away and remarked "I hope it is an important call." Unfazed, the Frenchman continued his conversation and Bjorn drove off.
Defending champion Sergio Garcia carded an adventurous one-under 70. During his roller-coaster round he carded bogeys, birdies, a double bogey, and an eagle.
But with Lafeber and Cejka returning to the chasing pack his chance of a repeat of last year has suddenly become a possibility.
The Irish trio failed to make any impact on the third day, with veteran Des Smyth best placed on two-under following his 74. Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley had a dramatic slump with his 76 to be one behind Smyth.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell was unable to fare any better, his eight-over 78 left him well down the field on five-over.
AFP