Howell takes charge in Munich

David Howell leads the BMW International Open after a third round 66 gave him a two shot lead over nearest rivals Martin Erlandsson, Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie.

The defending champion will be disappointed, however, because he was three clear before hooking into water on the last and taking a bogey six.

Harrington had a 64, his lowest round in a European tour event for nearly four years, while a 66 lifted Montgomerie into contention for the 40th win of his professional career.

Only something extraordinary will now prevent Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal earning Ryder Cup places on Sunday.

Their fate had been left in other people's hands, McGinley because he missed the halfway cut and Olazabal because he controversially chose to go quail-hunting instead.

Paul Broadhurst, Thomas Bjorn and Johan Edfors were the only three who could have changed things, however, and after Saturday's performances they need one of the lowest rounds of their lives just to have a chance.

And in the case of Edfors it might have to be one of the lowest rounds of anybody's life.

Bjorn has to win and after starting the day in 29th place he climbed to eighth, but then had a bogey and a double bogey for a 71 that dropped him back to 39th.

The Dane could still make it as a wild card, although Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood are the two favourites, but Broadhurst and Edfors accept they have no chance of that.

Whatever captain Ian Woosnam decides, he is entitled to feel happy with how the team is shaping up for their attempt at what would be an unprecedented third successive victory over the Americans.