August 15-18
Albatross Golf Resort, Prague, Czech Republic
€1,000,000
Live leaderboard
Round 1, Round 2, Round 4

Thomas Pieters continued his love affair with the D+D Real Czech Masters as the Belgian moved into a one-stroke lead heading into the final day at Albatross Golf Resort, thanks to a stunning front nine and a six under par 66.

“I think the key to that front nine was the driving. I hit it really far and straight so that was presenting a lot of birdie opportunities and a lot of short clubs into the holes. To convert the putt on nine after a wonderful six iron in was great, and it's the closest I've come to a two on a par five.

“I got one of the worst lies I've had on any course – not just this course – on ten and had to take my medicine there but then I made a great four at the 11 th and a great three at 13 but I struggled a bit on the back nine. I stayed patient though and got a nice birdie to finish."

The 27 year old claimed his maiden European Tour title at this venue four years ago, before finishing runner-up on his title defence in 2016, a performance which – along with his Made in Denmark triumph a week later – helped earn a Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine.

Pieters, playing alongside halfway leader Edoardo Molinari, opened with a birdie at the first and then followed up a bogey at the third with four successive birdies. But his pièce de resistance came at the par five ninth where he came close to a first career albatross with a six-iron to within inches before tapping in for eagle.

That superb front nine of 30 was followed by a more difficult back nine but a birdie at the last and his best round of the week moved him to the front on 16 under, with Adri Arnaus of Spain in second and four players sharing third spot on 14 under – including Molinari and his fellow former Ryder Cup winner Robert Karlsson.

“I started well on the front nine like I have done on the other days, and then on the back nine I was a bit off with some of my yardages," said Molinari. "I made a bogey at the 14 th with one of my best shots of the day but it's kind of difficult when you're between clubs all day. Hopefully my bad day is behind me now and I can go low tomorrow.

“It was a tricky flag on three and I hit a decent shot but it just rolled down the bank. From there I hit what looked like a decent putt when it started but then it started to pick up pace, but hopefully it hit the hole and went in.

“I'd rather be leading, when you can afford a couple of mistakes. But then again when you're out in front of the leaders and you get it going you might apply some extra pressure on then so it can work either way. I just need to play good golf and see what happens.”