Freewheeling Moynihan in the mix in Paris

Nicolas Colsaerts. Picture: Getty Images

Gavin Moynihan insists he's not thinking about his Race to Dubai battle to save his card as he heads into the final round of the Amundi Open de France with a chance to ward off the spectre of Q-School.

The Portrane man fired a bogey-free, three 68 — one of just two mistake-free rounds recorded yesterday — to share fifth place on eight-under-par.

He's just five strokes behind Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts knowing a win or a solo second-place finish would be enough to solve all his problems. Scores

But he is adamant that he's merely focussed on freewheeling around Le Golf National having used that strategy to make ten birdies and just two bogeys over the first 54 holes.

"I haven't thought about it once this week," he said of the fact that he’s 162nd in the Race to Dubai and must be inside the top 117 after next week’s Portugal Masters. 

"I played Challenge Tour last week in Ireland, and I played very chilled out golf. Similar conditions last week I think really helped kind of gear up for this week. It was tough. It was raining. Wind, long rough. So yeah, it's been a speedy transition last week to this week. Just freewheel it tomorrow again and see where that leaves us."

He was more than pleased with his 68 which featured 15 pars and three birdies on the spin from the 13th.

"Yeah, it was bogey-free today, which around this golf course is probably stealing a few," he said. "Fairly good today. A few nice up-and-downs on the front nine to kind of just keep the round going. It was a nice day, as well. If you played well today, you could get a score. Yeah, very happy.

"13, I had a nice number, but 15 was like stealing one there. Doesn't really matter, downwind, into the wind, and maybe just hit the green in two and 2-putting it out of there. Had a nice putt out there about 15 feet past.

"Bottom line, play this week has been not stress-free, but it's been good. Hopefully, keep it coming for tomorrow."

Colsaerts shot a four-under 67 to take a three-shot lead into the final round on 13 under par.

The big-hitting Belgian claimed the most recent of his two European Tour titles in 2012, the same season he was part of the famous Miracle at Medinah as Europe came back from 10-4 down to win the Ryder Cup.

He has had three second places since then and has finished inside the top 100 on the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex every season, but is currently 114th and battling to keep his playing privileges.

South Africa's George Coetzee's round of 70 took him to ten under par, as he kept within touching distance of the lead despite a double bogey on the 13th, which had followed a monster putt for birdie on the previous hole.

Jamie Donaldson is another Ryder Cup star battling to keep his card, and he celebrated his birthday by recording a 66 to sit one shot further back at nine-under-par alongside America's Kurt Kitayama, who is seeking a third win of his rookie season on the European Tour.

Dane Joachim B Hansen carded a remarkable 69 as he overcame a quintuple bogey nine on the 13th to get to eight under par alongside Moynihan and Scot Richie Ramsay.

Benjamin Hebert remains the leading French player at seven-under-par after rounds of 66-71-69, alongside German Major winner Martin Kaymer and South African Brandon Stone.