Two late bogeys from Jaco van Zyl threw the Turkish Airlines Open wide open, with a "stress-free" world number three Rory McIlroy just four shots off the lead in the first Final Series event in Antalya.
Van Zyl enjoyed a three-shot overnight lead after a brilliant opening 61 at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal and was seven clear after five birdies in his first 10 holes on Friday.
However, the 36-year-old then found water off the tee on the fourth and eighth to drop his only shots of the week so far and eventually signed for a 69 to finish 14 under par, two shots ahead of English pair Richard Bland and Chris Wood.
Seeking his first European Tour title in his 370th event, Bland needed just 28 shots to complete his last nine holes in a superb 65, while Wood continued to impress playing partner Darren Clarke, Europe's Ryder Cup captain, with a second consecutive 66.
France's Victor Dubuisson, whose only victory to date came in the inaugural staging of this event in 2013, was a shot further back after a flawless 64 alongside Paraguay's Fabrizio Zanotti, with McIlroy and Alexander Levy on 10 under.
McIlroy had needed a left-handed recovery shot on the 18th on Thursday and saved par on the same hole on Friday, despite a penalty drop after driving into a bush, the 26-year-old recording a second consecutive 67.
"They're as stress-free two 67s as I have shot all year," said McIlroy, who has yet to drop a shot and enjoyed a tremendous stroke of luck on the fourth when his pulled drive was heading for the water until hitting a tree on the edge of the hazard.
"I definitely feel like there's a lot more to come. I made a couple of good putts to save pars over the past couple of days, but for the most part I'm giving myself chances on most greens. I feel like I can hit the ball a little better. I can definitely get my wedges closer.
"I don't feel like I need to put myself under any pressure to get off to a good start tomorrow. Just play another solid round of golf and I'll hopefully be in there with a shout going into Sunday.
"If I get myself up there, I feel like I've had a lot more experience than some of the guys up there on the leaderboard closing tournaments out, so I'd back myself. I looked at the leaderboard on the fourth green and at that point I think I was 10 behind. So to be only four behind going into the weekend isn't much at all."
Van Zyl, who has yet to win on the European Tour despite 13 victories on the Sunshine Tour, said: "Surprisingly enough I was not too anxious out there. I really enjoyed the moment, took every shot as it came and every opportunity when it was there.
"It's a field of quality players and they have all played nicely to be here. To be in this position is really an honour and hopefully we can stay in the mix till the last nine holes on Sunday."
Bland is also seeking a maiden European Tour victory and revealed his fiancee had provided some useful motivation midway through his round.
"I got told in the middle of the first fairway that I had sold my house and thought 'All right, better try to pay for the new one," the 42-year-old from Southampton said.
"I thought I was playing all right and just not doing anything. I couldn't really get it close to the flag and then the back nine just kind of clicked, I holed a few putts and back in 28. Strange game.
"I've had a pretty steady season, 81st on the Race to Dubai, nothing spectacular. But I've got nothing to lose here. If I don't get into China in a couple of weeks my season is done, so just try and enjoy it, try to free up and just be a little bit more aggressive."
Former world number one Lee Westwood could only add a 71 to his opening 64 to finish nine under par alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Graeme McDowell, who shot a flawless 65 in pursuit of only his second top-10 finish of the season.
"I played okay again really," Westwood said. "I struggled to read the greens more than anything and had a few bad breaks. Pitched it on (the hole) on 10, bounced off the green, hit a couple of trees in line with pins. It was that kind of day."
The lowest round of the day came from British Masters champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who added a 63 to his opening 73 despite needing treatment on the course for a neck injury.
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