The 33-year-old Briton, who won his only previous European Tour event in South Africa five years ago, hit five birdies in a blemish-free round as he overtook overnight leader Victor Dubuisson who is a shot back after 54 holes.
The enigmatic Frenchman was in danger of losing his European Tour card but is now chasing a substantial first prize in the $7.5-million event, the penultimate of the season.
Twice major winner and former world No. 1 Martin Kaymer moved up the leaderboard with a 69 to five-under-par for the tournament, tied for third alongside home hope Branden Grace, who made five birdies in nine holes before bogeying the last.
German Kaymer, 32, has not won a tournament since the U.S. Open three years ago.
Italy’s Francesco Molinari hit seven birdies in a round of 65 - the lowest of the tournament - to move to three under and joint fifth place, with Haydn Porteous who shot a 67.
Tommy Fleetwood, who leads the Tour’s order of merit with one event left in the season, carded a 67 to move into the top 10.
He has the chance to stretch his Race to Dubai lead over fellow Englishman Justin Rose, not playing this week after back-to-back triumphs in China and Turkey, going into next week’s finale in the United Arab Emirates.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ed Osmond)
