Jimenez on target

Miguel Angel Jimenez looks set for his first European Masters victory in 22 attempts as he takes a three-shot lead into the final day.

A 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club should have seen Jimenez go to four under on the day and 18 under overall, but the Spaniard was later docked a shot for repositioning his ball on the 10th hole.

The lost stroke means Jimenez finished on 17 under overall after a three-under par round of 68.

Preferred lies, allowing players to replace their ball position on the fairway without penalty, were in effect on the sixth hole of the course but not the tenth.

Jimenez's Ryder Cup team mate Edoardo Molinari also carded a 68 to stay in touch with the Spaniard on 14 under.

Molinari sunk a pressure putt on the last to save par and stay in with a chance of catching Jimenez on Sunday.

Englishman Steve Webster carded an impressive seven-under round of 64 to fire himself into contention.

Webster joins 17-year-old Italian Matteo Mannassero in a share of third on 13 under after the latter shot a two-under 69.

Argentina's Rafa Echenique and Oliver Wilson of England are tied for fifth on 10 under, but it would take stunning final rounds or an implosion from Jimenez for either to feature in the climax.

The European Masters at Crans-Montana concludes on Sunday.