Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand posted a three-under round of 68 on Saturday to move to eight-under and take a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the French Open.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy and South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun posted one-under 70s, having been level with Jaidee and two other players overnight.
Jaidee played consistently with three birdies.
“I had a good game plan today... hit a lot of fairway,” the 46-year-old Jaidee said.
By contrast, McIlroy’s third round was hugely erratic as the four-time major winner had six birdies, three bogeys and one double-bogey.
McIlroy recovered to make five birdies on the back nine.
Wang’s round was the opposite, featuring three bogeys on his way back to the clubhouse after he had set out with four birdies on the front nine.
Defending champion Bernd Wiesberger of Austria posted 70 and was one shot behind at five-under, followed by South Africa’s Brandon Stone and four other players at three-under.
Wiesberger is looking to become the sixth player to successfully defend the title at the Le Golf National, which is hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup.
“I’m right up there,” said the Austrian, who recovered from a bogey-bogey start. “I have played well on Sundays here, so everything is in place.”
Stone shared the overnight lead, but fell away with a two-over 73 — including a double-bogey on the 18th.
Mikko Ilonen, the other overnight joint leader, fared even worse. The Finn hit a four-over 75 — including a quadruple-bogey on the fifth — to fall seven shots behind Jaidee.
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