SAINT-OMER, France -- Darren Fichardt shot a 2-under 69 to take a five-stroke lead after the third round of the Saint-Omer Open on Saturday.
The South African had five straight birdies on the front nine before making three bogeys to finish with a 7-under 206.
Fichardt won the Brazil Open in 2001 and the Qatar Masters in 2003, but his last top-three finish was third at the Qatar Masters in 2006.
Simon Wakefield of England shot a 1-over 72 to climb into second place, two strokes ahead of compatriot Gary Lockerbie, Mark Tullo of Chile and Wil Besseling of the Netherlands, who shared third at 213.
Tullo had the day's low round, a bogey-free 67.
Overnight leader Sihwan Kim (81) dropped to 20th after making four bogeys, two double bogeys and a triple bogey.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
