Levet & Jimenez move two clear

Europe's Ryder Cup qualifiers continued to excel in Germany as Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Levet of France shared the lead in the BMW International Open after Saturday's third round.

Jimenez led for a second day in a row by firing a five-under-par 67 but he was joined at 15-under 201 by Levet, who came within a stroke of the Nord Eichenried course record with a sparkling 63.

A further two strokes back in a tie for third were South African Retief Goosen (68) and Austria's Marcus Brier (67).

While Jimenez and Levet are assured of their places in Bernhard Langer's team to take on the United States at Oakland Hills next month, the dogfight for the lower qualifying spots continued.

Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson was still trying to elbow his way into Europe's automatic top 10 with just one round to go before the places are decided.

His 68 left him sharing fifth place in the tournament, three strokes off the lead, but Jacobson, lying 13th in the Cup table, may need to finish at least third on Sunday to have any chance of qualifying.

Paul McGinley's table 10th place was the most vulnerable at the start of the week, but the Irishman continued to hold off his rivals, his 67 leaving him four adrift of Jimenez and Levet.

The Irishman, who holed the winning putt for Europe in the 2002 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, conceded he would be nervous in the final round.

"There's still a lot of water to flow under the bridge yet," he said. "It's going to be a nerve-racking day. I've had butterflies in my stomach all week."

Britain's David Howell, eighth in the table and compatriot Ian Poulter, holding ninth spot, ended the third round seven strokes off the pace and are also still under threat from Jacobson.

The Swede made a cloaked plea for a wildcard selection by Langer if he did not qualify automatically.

"I'm in a position to win and that's what I have to try for," he said.

"But if I should miss out, then I'm making lots of birdies, which is what you want when you're playing Ryder Cup fourballs."

Seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie leads the way in the bid to become one of the two captain's picks by Langer, his partner in three Ryder Cup matches at The Belfry in 2002.

I will respect Bernhard's decision whatever he does," said the Briton, after carding a 67 to finish three off the pace. "His job is to get 14 points (out of 28 at the Ryder Cup).

"He will have worked out things and whoever he picks will be a help to that 14 points, but it would be very wrong of me to presume anything at this stage.

Langer arrived at the Munich course on Saturday afternoon after attending his daughter's college inauguration ceremony in the U.S. and would have been delighted at seeing two of his team members at the top of the leaderboard.

After collecting an eagle and seven birdies, Frenchman Levet said he could not wait to make his Cup debut against the Americans.

"I'm solid in all departments and I'm all set for the Ryder Cup," he said. "I'm looking forward to it and I wish it could be tomorrow."

Having played alongside McGinley on Saturday, Levet also contemplated playing with the Irishman at Oakland Hills, adding: "It shows how strong we are when Paul is the man in 10th place.

"I'd like to play the foursomes with him in the Ryder Cup because I wouldn't be putting a foot in the rough."

Further spice to Sunday's climax has been added by McGinley and Jacobson being drawn together for the final round. Britons Howell and Casey have also been paired together.

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