Matt Fitzpatrick extends European Masters advantage

Matt Fitzpatrick is closing in on a Ryder Cup place and equalling a Seve Ballesteros record after moving two shots clear at the Omega European Masters.

The former US Open winner carded a third-round 67 at Crans-sur-Sierre to leave himself well placed for a third title in the Swiss mountains on 15 under par.

That would equal Ballesteros' record for the most wins in the event, while a now seemingly inevitable top-seven finish will see Fitzpatrick dislodge the absent Tommy Fleetwood on the world points list for a place on Luke Donald's European team.

Fitzpatrick began the day one ahead of Sweden's Alexander Bjork and threatened to runaway with it after responding to a bogey at the first with four birdies in his next six holes.

Another gain looked to be on the cards at the ninth when an imaginative chip using the backstop travelled round the green and returned to four feet, only for Fitzpatrick to three-putt before finding water off the tee at 13 en route to a double bogey.

The 29-year-old Englishman responded with three birdies in his last five holes to lead a chasing pack consisting of Swedes Bjork and Ludvig Aberg and Scotland's Connor Syme.

In the race to qualify for the Ryder Cup via the European points list, Scotland's Robert MacIntyre remains on course for a debut appearance in Rome, with his challengers - who all require a top-three finish or better - all outside the top 10.

LEADERBOARD

Padraig Harrington carded a consecutive round of 68 and stands at seven under - joint-30th ahead of the final round. After a bogey at the first, the three-time major winner then had an eagle at the fourth to go with birdies on three, five and seven. However, he gave one back at the ninth. Coming home, the Dubliner had three more birdies