Carl Suneson leads by a stroke - Open de Saint Omer 2007

Suneson, 39, is hoping that experiences under pressure, such as 13 visits to European Tour qualifying school, will help as he tries to ensure a card for next year by clinching his first full tour title on Sunday.

A solid one-under 70 with two birdies and one bogey on the Aa course near Calais broke Suneson clear on six-under 207.

The player born in the Canary Islands to an English mother and Swedish father chose Spain for his professional career, which started in 1989.

He has been on and off the European Tour ever since. His latest excursion on the main tour has yielded only 188th place on the money-list so far this season and Suneson is keen to earn a 2008 exemption with victory in France.

Advice from his compatriot, friend and former Ryder Cup player Ignacio Garrido might help.

"Ignacio has brought the instinct side back to my game," Suneson told reporters. "You need to be technical at times but there's nothing like playing with feel and Ignacio has great ability in that. Now I want some killer instinct tomorrow."

Higley, with a 71, chipped to four feet to save par on the last and stay a shot ahead of Australian Peter Fowler (72) and Swede Mikael Lundberg (71).

Fowler, 48, is trying to regain his card after losing it last year.