Michael Campbell took over the French Open lead today, despite hitting out of bounds twice and an extraordinary finale to his third round.
A 25ft birdie putt on the last edged Campbell a stroke in front of the leader after two days, England's John Bickerton.
The New Zealander's three-under 68 for a 10-under 203 gives him a chance to earn his first win of the year and a ninth European Tour title.
Campbell hit out of bounds on the seventh to double-bogey but stunning golf took him into the lead by the 17th tee.
The New Zealander hit out of bounds again, then crashed a ball into exhibition tents with his next shot off the tee.
His ball ricocheted into and back out of the tents and was helped back into bounds by an unwitting woman spectator, who dribbled it soccer fashion.
The 37-year-old, who missed the cut when he defended his US Open title, had to hit a provisional ball in case the spectator had knowingly interfered with play.
Tournament referee Andy McFee decided she had not and allowed Campbell's second ball to be the one in play. After a free-drop, he made triple-bogey at the 17th.
"With all the kerfuffle that went on it seemed to take a lifetime to get it all sorted out," said the leader. "I was glad to put it behind me, though, and make the birdie on the last.
"I'm disappointed I didn't run away with it, but I had eight birdies apart from the couple of loose shots and I'm playing some wonderful golf otherwise."
Bickerton conceded top place by dint of a bogey at the 14th although the Englishman is still in with a good chance of winning that would earn him automatic exemption for the British Open and a place in Europe's Ryder Cup table top 10.
Bradley Dredge and Dane Anders Hansen share third place, three shots off the lead.
Padraig Harrington still has a slim chance as he is five off the pace on five under after today''s 69. Gary Murphy also shot 69 to find himself two shots further back from Harrington.
Peter Lawrie is one over after a poor 75 while Paul McGinley is three over after carding a 73.
