JC Ritchie shares a two-stroke lead with Robin Petersson heading into the final round of the Italian Challenge Open, as he closes in on securing a third win of the season and automatic promotion to the DP World Tour.

Ritchie, who led by one shot overnight, carded a four-under-par round of 68 on day three, with Petersson’s six under 66 seeing both players move to 16-under-par for the week, two clear of Englishman Steven Brown who occupies solo third.

South African Ritchie, who triumphed at the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos last week to pick up his second win of the season, is excited by the prospect of completing the perfect season tomorrow at Golf Nazionale.

“It’s the ultimate goal to win three times,” he said. “To achieve that would be the biggest dream come true. It’s been on my mind for a while.

“For a couple of years, I’ve always felt like I’ve been capable of achieving it, but this is the first year I’ve felt like my game is in the position to try and back up that sort of statement.

“Tomorrow’s going to be fun. I’m going to enjoy it, I’ve got nothing to lose, and my game has been solid, so I’ll go at it.

“It’s going to take a lot of discipline. Hopefully the conditions stay tough, and I think you’re going to get rewarded if you hit good shots and punished if you hit bad ones.”

Dutchman Lars van der Vight shares fourth place on 13-under-par alongside Rocco Repetto Taylor from Spain and Swede Christofer Rahm, with four players one shot further back in seventh, including leading Italian Lorenzo Scalise.

Jovan Rebula carded a four-under-par 68 to move to eight-under for the tournament and a share of 23rd.