Dredge is seeking a second straight European Masters title

Wales' Bradley Dredge put himself in prime position to claim back-to-back European Masters titles with one round left in Switzerland.

Dredge carded 68 to share the lead at 13 under with Australia's Brett Rumford, who fired 66.

England's Oliver Wilson, suffering from a sore neck, shot 70 for 12 under.

Welshman Sion Bebb rocketed into a share of fourth on 11 under after a 63, with England's Lee Westwood (65) and Phillip Archer (68) at 10 under.

Dredge, who won by eight shots in Crans-sur-Sierre last year, eagled the opening hole for the second day in succession but dropped shots at the fifth and ninth and ran up a double-bogey six on the 12th to slow down his charge.

"The course seems to suit me but it was a bit of an up and down round," said Dredge, who lost a play-off to Padraig Harrington in the Irish Open.

"After all that I'm happy to be tied for the lead and in with a chance. My 68 doesn't look so good if I was the only fit one in our group."

Rumford revealed he had also been suffering from a neck injury, a pinched nerve which left the 30-year-old - twice a winner on the European Tour - with a throbbing headache.

I was nearing the point of no return but winning �13,000 last week will keep me going for another few months Wales' Sion Bebb

The 26-year-old Wilson, who led by one from Dredge overnight, needed an hour of physio before he was able to take part in round three.

"I was really excited, I had a chance to build a lead and separate myself from the field but the injury really deflated me," said Wilson, who has lost out in two play-offs on the European Tour.

"I could not hit my irons properly and hit some horrendous shots because I just couldn't get through the ball. Even when it didn't hurt I knew it was there and you can't commit to the shot.

"It got a little better later in the day but I was walking round very rigid all day."

Bebb only gained full playing rights on the European Tour from his 11th visit to the qualifying school last November. His best finish this season is a tie for 26th last week at Gleneagles.

His best ever finish is joint 17th in the St Omer Open in 2005 and, at 209th on the Order of Merit, the 38-year-old is in danger of yet another visit to the six-round qualifying school at the end of the season.

"Two weeks ago I was debating going back, what with the travelling, the struggling, leaving the wife and kids at home," said Bebb.

"And the money is very tight. You are talking another �3,000-4,000 if you go through the school but I had a good week in Gleneagles last week which has helped the finances.