Renato Paratore's blemish free run came to an end at 62 holes but he still took a two shot lead into the closing stages of the 2020 Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood.
The Italian entered the final day with a one shot lead at Close House Golf Club chasing not just a second European Tour title but also the first bogey free 72 holes on Tour since Jesper Parnevik at the 1995 Scandinavian Masters.
That was not to be as he dropped a shot on the ninth but two earlier birdies allowed him to turn in 34 at 17 under, two clear of South African playing partner Justin Harding.
Dane Rasmus Højgaard was then at 14 under, one ahead of Englishman Dale Whitnell.
Paratore's bogey free streak looked set to end when he went right off the first tee and left with his second but he got up and down in fine style to save par before repeating the feat on the second.
Harding played a beautiful pitch to set up an eight foot birdie on the third and join the lead but gave the shot straight back as he failed to find the green off the tee at the next.
Playing partner Paratore had no such trouble, holing from 25 feet to open up a two shot lead but Harding cut it back to one with a lengthy putt of his own on the fifth.
Paratore then made a two putt birdie on the par five seventh to give himself some breathing room, with Harding left frustrated as he three putted for par.
Another three putt from just off the ninth green brought another bogey but Harding did not lose any ground as Paratore failed to get up and down from over the back.
Højgaard recovered from a bogey on the second to make an excellent par save on the third and pick up a shot on the seventh to turn in level par.
Whitnell chipped in at the same hole for the second day in a row to sign for an eagle but he combined that with three bogeys and a birdie as he too turned in 35.
English pair Sam Horsfield and Andy Sullivan were five shots off the lead, one clear of Oliver Fisher, Ryan Fox, Adrian Meronk and Robert Rock.
