Paul Casey stays clear - Quinn Direct British Masters 2006

Briton Paul Casey, helped by friendly advice from rival Michael Campbell, was poised to win his sixth European Tour title at the British Masters after a third-round two-under-par 70 on Saturday.

Casey turned to U.S. Open champion Campbell when he was going through a bad spell of form last year and tips from the New Zealander helped him to bounce back, resulting in a China Open win earlier this season.

The Briton stayed ahead of the Masters field for a second day on Saturday with his mentor Campbell in second place, two strokes behind on 205 after a 68.

Although Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland was only a further stroke back after a 70, Campbell and Casey, who have devised a betting system for each tournament to drive each other on, talked in terms of head-to-head between them for Sunday's final round.

"Michael's more than just another player," said Casey after a tough, drizzly day when he dropped shots, having had two pristine cards before the third round.

"He's helped me a lot in the last year and I'm very happy to be playing with him tomorrow. He's the man to beat because he's a major champion."

Campbell, who Casey said put him under pressure with his early pace, began with three successive birdies and added another before faltering with a double-bogey at the ninth.

A flawless back nine by the New Zealander gave him a chance to chalk up a ninth European Tour title, despite only coming back this week from a one-month holiday in Australia.

Campbell said Casey's form this week had spurred him on. "I'm surprised to be where I am after a month off but it's really helped me a lot for the last three days because Paul's played so well it's made we want to beat him," said Campbell.

"I hate to see a guy going through a bad patch and I could see he was down last year. He's got so much talent. I'm not saying I've changed his career but maybe I gave him one percent help.

"I know what it's like. Ernie (Els), Goosey (Retief Goosen) and Vijay (Singh) helped me and now I've passed that help down to Paul. I'm sure he'll pass it on to the next generation."

Clarke came back from a poor first 11 holes to pick up five birdies in his last seven holes to stay in contention, one stroke ahead of Swede Johan Edfors and Briton Stephen Gallacher.

Gallacher survived a rules inquest after it was deemed he was not addressing his ball when it moved on the 15th green.