Oliver Bekker started like a house on fire on Saturday with three consecutive birdies on the toughest part of the course on his way to a third-round of 66 in the DP World Tour’s Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

He made four more birdies and three bogeys to climb to 11-under for the tournament and a share of seventh. That put him four shots behind the leader, Matt Fitzpatrick of England, who seems well on his way to automatic qualification for the European Ryder Cup team after he carded a three-under 67. Fitzpatrick was two clear of Conor Syme of Scotland and Swedes Ludvig Aberg and Alexander Bjork.

One stroke behind Bekker was JC Ritchie in a share of 12^th on 10-under after he signed for a third-round three-under 67. Erik van Rooyen was a further stroke back on nine-under in a share of 16^th with Wilco Nienaber. Both players had four-under 66s in the third round.

Zander Lombard was on seven-under in a share of 30^th after a 68, defending champion Thriston Lawrence was on five-under in a share of 42^nd after a 69, and Justin Walters and Hennie du Plessis were in a share of 50^th on four-under.