Molinari & Barham tied for lead - Telecom Italia Open 2006

Five birdies in a bogey-free round played in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd gave Molinari hope that he could repeat Massimo Mannelli's victory 26 years ago.

"The crowd made a big difference," he told reporters.

"I hope I can play well tomorrow and bring them, and me, some joy," added Molinari, chasing his maiden European Tour win in only his second year.

The 23-year-old from Turin has a chance to step out of the shadows of his older brother Edoardo, the U.S. amateur champion who will turn professional after this year's British Open.

Barham needed to hole a 35-foot birdie putt at the last to match Molinari.

The Englishman is also looking for his maiden win although he has tasted victory twice on the Challenge Tour.

Barham has recently employed British coach John Pates, who was banned for three months at the end of last year for striking a caddie, to help his concentration.

"John's absolutely perfect for me, what he does off the course is up to him," said Barham.

Overnight leader David Drysdale double-bogeyed the last to plunge four strokes off the pace while fellow Briton Marc Warren was a shot worse than he should have been on nine-under after signing for a 70 instead of a 69.

Scot Warren, who holed the winning putt at the 2001 Walker Cup, made a birdie two on the short eighth but signed for a three.

He had taken one step out of the recorder's tent when he realised his mistake but organisers ruled he had left the official area and could not rectify his score.

Warren escaped disqualification because he signed for a higher score than he made.

The most famous case of a player signing for a higher score than he made came at the 1968 U.S. Masters when Argentine Roberto de Vicenzo signed for a closing 66 when he had shot a 65, allowing American Bob Goalby to win by a stroke.