Ewen Ferguson joins Jordan Smith in the lead heading into the final day

Ewen Ferguson closed with a 67 on Saturday to reach 13-under and take a share of the lead heading into the final day of the Cazoo Open de France.

“Being in the position we were in, challenging for the lead, I think that brings a different kind of pressure,” said the Scot. “I knew my swing was in good shape.

“I always look [at leaderboards]. I’m looking to see who’s making a charge at us, who’s doing what and what I need to do. I’m always looking to see what I need to do to finish on top, same tomorrow and same today.

“I was just trying to hold on to Jordan all the way round, felt like I did that quite well and tomorrow, same again, hopefully I can heat the putter up and get them all dropping.”

Overnight leader Jordan Smith of England carded a 70 to retain a share of the lead. Smith and Ferguson will both be aiming for a third DP World Tour title on Sunday.

“If you’d given me a tie for the lead at the start of the week, I’d have bitten your hand off,” said Smith. “I’m excited for tomorrow. It’s going to be good fun and it’s nice to be in that situation.

“I just didn’t hit as many shots close and didn’t hole as many putts today. It still felt good out there, I just had one bad hole and the putts just didn’t drop but hopefully they will tomorrow.”

Japan’s Kazuki Higa moved into third place at 12-under after carding a bogey-free 65.

Germany’s Yannik Paul lies in fourth place at 11-under thanks to a bogey-free 67 followed by Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune who closed with a 69.

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Both sides won two of the Saturday morning foursomes before the home side took the fourballs session 3-1.