Unheralded Briton John Parry moved a step closer to his maiden European Tour victory by opening a one-stroke lead after the Vivendi Cup third round on Saturday.

SCORES

The 23-year-old recorded a two-under 70 to finish on 15-under 201, one ahead of Swede Johan Edfors (67) and Dane Mark Haastrup (66).

Jarmo Sandelin, tied for the lead with Parry overnight, bogeyed the last two holes for a 72. The Swede shared fourth place on 203 with Frenchman Francois Delamontagne (68), Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (68) and Australian Richard Green (69).

“I was a bit nervous out there but felt that I had got used to the pressure of playing in front of the cameras,” Englishman Parry told reporters.

“I just went out there trying to play every shot as I saw it and if I can do that again tomorrow ... I should be there or thereabouts.” Parry’s previous best tour finish came when he was joint ninth at the Madeira Islands Open in April.

Triple major winner Padraig Harrington, the only member of next week’s European Ryder Cup team competing here, had an adventurous day on the outskirts of Paris.

The Irishman carded eight birdies, three bogeys and a fourth-hole double bogey after a horrible four-putt from just off the green.

“I was happy with my putting today and the four-putt came when I caught a slope on the green,” said Harrington after shooting a 69 for 211.

“I just didn’t believe it and they were actually all good putts. I hit the ball solid out there today and I am happy to have made eight birdies.”