THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD GB and Ire unless stated -6 H Stenson (Swe) -5 G Fernandez-Castano (Spa) -4 M Pearce (Aus), P Casey, P O'Malley (Aus) Selected others: -3 P Lawrie -2 C Montgomerie

Sweden's Henrik Stenson holds a one-shot advantage going into the final round after his 71 on Saturday.

But Englishman Casey moved to within two shots of the lead at four under thanks to an eagle and four birdies.

It could have been so much better for the Ryder Cup player, whose three-under-par round was tarnished by a bogey and a double bogey.

"It was very tough out there, extremely tough," said Casey. "The reason why I made so many birdies out there was because I struck the ball very well.

"Anybody who wasn't striking the ball well would be finding it difficult big time.

"I am very happy to be in the tournament with a shout basically for tomorrow considering the numbers I have been putting."

Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, European Tour rookie of the year in 2005, was in second place behind Stenson after a round of 69.

Casey was a shot further back alongside Australian Peter O'Malley and New Zealander Mahal Pearce.

Scotland's Paul Lawrie, who had started the round in second spot, carded a 73 to drop to sixth overall along with Austria's Markus Brier.

Colin Montgomerie was a further shot back with Portugal's Jose-Filipe Lima.

A host of competitors had to complete their second round at the start of day three following storms on Friday.

I think he'd be a wonderful captain Casey tips Montgomerie for the Ryder Cup captaincy in 2010

Casey is targeting victory on Sunday to boost his chances of playing for Europe in September's Ryder Cup at the K-Club in Ireland.

"It is definitely a big goal for me but I am just taking each week individually and trying to win golf events which means tomorrow is a big day for me with lots of points available," he said.

"So I am focused on every week with the end result hopefully a place in the team I would love to be part of."

Meanwhile, Casey thinks Montgomerie would make a great skipper of the Europe team in 2010.

"I think he'd be a wonderful captain," said Casey. "I know it is not the same level but I played for Monty in the Seve Trophy last year and he has been a fabulous captain for that.