Porsche European Open: Richard McEvoy shares lead with Bryson DeChambeau as Patrick Reeds looms

The Essex-born Briton will tee off on -12 alongside DeChambeau, but Reed is just one shot off the lead

Richard McEvoy moved into a share of the lead ahead of the final round (Getty)

Richard McEvoy has put himself in with a chance of a long-awaited maiden European Tour title after an enthralling duel with playing partner Bryson DeChambeau on a stormy Saturday in Hamburg.

The 39-year-old from Essex shot a third-round 69 to share the lead on 12 under at the Porsche European Open with DeChambeau - one shot ahead of the latter's fellow American, US Masters champion Patrick Reed, and Matthias Schwab.

It was a late finish at the Green Eagle Golf Courses because play was suspended as lightning flashed ahead for almost three hours during mid-afternoon.

Scot David Drysdale had an eventful round of mixed fortunes which concluded with a double-bogey seven on the last hole for a level-par 72.

By contrast, McEvoy's compatriot Paul Casey finished with a flourish for a round of 69 to lie fifth - just ahead of Drysdale, Australian Scott Hend, Italy's Renato Paratore and Frenchman Romain Wattel, all on eight under.

David Horsey is a third Englishman in the top 10 after completing his five-under round of 67 before the weather turned.

Bryson DeChambeau enjoyed a neck-and-neck battle with McEvoy during the third round (Getty)

McEvoy made ground on the front nine, taking only 32 shots to edge ahead of DeChambeau - who had led the previous evening, battled back after the rain but then dropped a shot with a missed putt for par on the 16th.

His rival, a winner on the Challenge tour just last week, held his nerve with a solid run of seven successive pars to close out his long day in encouraging fashion despite the disappointment of missing his chance of a birdie on the last, while DeChambeau then took his to level up again.

Masters champion Patrick Reed is one shot off the lead (Getty)

Austrian rookie Schwab had returned after the hooter sounded during a mid-afternoon downpour to draw level with McEvoy by holing the shortest of birdie putts.

He then found trouble in the water to fall back on the 11th but recovered his composure to finish his round with a birdie and ensure he remained one of the most likely challengers to McEvoy's bid for glory on Sunday.

PA