Australia's Scott Hend is four shots off the lead heading into the final round of the European Open.
Hend carded a three-under par 69 on a stormy Saturday in Hamburg to be tied sixth on eight-under with Italy's Renato Paratore, Frenchman Romain Wattel and Scotland's David Drysdale.
The group are chasing England's Richard McEvoy, who has put himself in with a chance of a long-awaited maiden European Tour title after an enthralling duel with playing partner Bryson DeChambeau after the third round.
The 39-year-old shot a third-round 69 to share the lead on 12-under with DeChambeau - one shot ahead of the latter's fellow American, US Masters champion Patrick Reed, and Matthias Schwab.
McEvoy's compatriot Paul Casey finished with a flourish, also with a round of 69, to lie fifth on nine-under.
It was a late finish at the Green Eagle Golf Courses because play was suspended as lightning flashed ahead for almost three hours during mid-afternoon.
David Horsey is the third Englishman in the top 10 after completing his five-under round of 67 before the weather turned.
McEvoy made ground on the front nine, taking only 32 shots to edge ahead of DeChambeau - who had led the previous evening, battled back after the rain but then dropped a shot with a missed putt for par on the 16th.
His rival, a winner on the Challenge tour just last week, held his nerve with a solid run of seven successive pars to close out his long day in encouraging fashion despite the disappointment of missing his chance of a birdie on the last, while DeChambeau then took his to level up again.
Austrian rookie Schwab had returned after the hooter sounded during a mid-afternoon downpour to draw level with McEvoy by holing the shortest of birdie putts.
He then found trouble in the water to fall back on the 11th but recovered his composure to finish his round with a birdie and ensure he remained one of the most likely challengers to McEvoy's bid for glory on Sunday.
