An embarrassed Lee Westwood fell flat on his backside but then picked himself up to throw down the BMW PGA gauntlet to the front-running leading duo of Luke Donald and Matteo ‘Manny’ Manassero.
World No. 2 Donald and the 18-year old Italian stallion Manassero, each carded adventurous 72s to finish on five under par and two clear of Westwood and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti, who both had 69s.
Westwood was playing his second shot at eight when he lost his balance and tumbled over backwards.
World No. 1 Lee Westwood with European Tour's Scott Crockett after his BMW PGA third round 69 to move him into a share of third place.
“I’m not as nimble as I used to be, and I had nowhere to go but on my backside,” he joked.
“Fortunately it’s a big enough and tough enough to cushion my blow.”
But Westwood’s desperate to retain his World No. 1 ranking and also claim a third stroke-play title in succession after wins in Indonesia and Korea.
“I’m edging my way in there and hopefully I’ll really get on and play special, because that is what I’ll need to do to win the tournament,” he said.
“The event has the feel of a Major Championship where you’re just hanging around, hanging around, doing little bits, and trying not to make too many mistakes.”
And while Manassero and Donald will present formidable opponents, the 38-year old Worksop golfing wonder, had some ‘old man’ advice for Manassero who’s 20 years his junior.
“He’s (Manassero) is irritatingly young, isn’t he?” said Westwood.
Matteo Manassero - 'Irritatingly young' declares Lee Westwood
“I’ve been on Tour longer than he’s been on earth. But he’s very good.
“I played with him at the Masters last year, and he plays a game not like an 18-year old. But he’s proved himself by winning twice already and he’s improving.
“But I’ve been out here quite a while now, and played in a lot of big tournaments and I know what’s needed to get into the right position.
“My strong point is between the ears and that’s what you need when you are playing difficult golf courses like this.”
And the double Tour winning Manassero with the movie star looks responded to Westwood’s challenge saying: “I don’t know if I have the mental capacity to beat Lee.
“But then I don’t think the last day is going to be a mental battle. The guy who plays well and putts better is going to win.
“I personally think I have been playing really well and if I play well again tomorrow I can win.
Luke Donald claws his way back into a share of the lead.
“I’m certainly not as mentally strong as Lee or Luke, and that’s for sure as they are much more experienced than me, but I will definitely try.”
Zanotti’s round included eight straight threes from the eight to 14th hole, and with five of those birdies.
Just 11 of 66 players will start the final round in red figures.
And if those following Colin Montgomerie thought he’d got the Seve Ballesteros tribute day wrong, they were right.
Monty turned up yesterday wearing the same clothes he wore on Friday, navy and white attire in honour of Seve.
“It’s all I had to wear as I slept-in, and just made it here in time,” he said after a 71 to remain at two-over par.
“I set the alarm on my iphone and it went dead, ran out of power and didn’t work. A rookie error.”
