England's Paul Casey justified Sam Torrance's decision to seriously consider him for a Ryder Cup wild card after a stunning course-record 62 in the £1.8million Linde German Masters today.
Casey fired nine birdies and an eagle at Gut Larchenhof for a 19-under 197 total and two-shot lead over the field.
Germany's Alex Cejka and Australian Stephen Leaney are his nearest challengers, Cejka equalling Rodger Davis' previous course record of 63 and Leaney carding a 66.
Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam was a shot further back after a 68 alongside Gary Evans who carded a 65 on a day of low scoring.
Padraig Harrington's 71 meant he lost ground on the leaders, and although the Dubliner is the leading Irishman at 10-under, he is perhaps too far back to mount a serious final day challenge.
Fellow Ryder Cup team-mate Paul McGinley also carded a one-under 71 to finish on five-under, the same aggregate as Graeme McDowell who shot 70 today.
Casey was named European Tour rookie of the year in 2001 after his maiden victory in the Scottish PGA Championship last year in only his 11th event as a professional.
After spending the early part of the year playing on the US Tour, Casey struggled to recapture that sort of form until the last three events saw him finish 11th, seventh and 10th.
"It was very nice of Sam to say what he did and earlier this year while I was playing average golf it was almost embarrassing," the 25-year-old who added, "making the team in two years time is now the goal."
Casey opened with six birdies in his first seven holes to storm to the turn in 30, and recovered from a bogey on the 10th to card three more birdies and an eagle on the closing stretch.
"It's my lowest round as a professional although I did once shoot a 60 as an amateur, although that was only 10-under and did also contain a bogey," added Casey.
None of the eight Ryder Cup players who survived the halfway cut - only Wales' Phillip Price missed out - are seriously threatening to claim the £315,000 first prize, but it was still widely encouraging news for Torrance.
Veteran German Bernhard Langer was the best placed on 12-under after a 66, Colin Montgomerie was one behind after a 68, while Pierre Fulke was 10-under after a 66 alongside Harrington.
Thomas Bjorn carded a 70 to lie nine-under, Lee Westwood fell back with a 73 after two of his best rounds in a long time on the opening two days, Niclas Fasth signed for a 75.
PA