Nick Job fired a best of the day 65 to take command of the Weston Homes PGA International Seniors.
The Berkshire professional, chasing his first European Seniors Tour title of the season, moved to 11-under-par to lie three shots ahead of his close friend and main rival for the title Carl Mason, who carded a second successive four-under-par 68.
Job and Mason will go head-to-head for the second successive day tomorrow over the Gainsborough Course at Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa, where they will be joined by Chile's Guillermo Encina, whose round of 67 has thrust him into contention at shot further back.
However, it is difficult to see anyone other than one of the two Englishmen walking away with the title and the £26,000 winner's cheque given the form they have shown over the opening two days.
Job, a winner of four European Senior Tour titles and a four-time PGA Cup player, is ready continue where he left off after finishing his round in style with three of his eight birdies, tempered only by one bogey, coming over the closing trio of holes.
"I played very well and it's always good to play with Carl, although it can be difficult to play with him too," he said.
"But whoever plays well, plays well and he's such a competitor than you can never forget him.
"But I'll be able sleep as it's a lovely position to be in and it would be nice to keep it going tomorrow.
"I'm just going to play the best I can and if it comes out on top, then so be it."
Mason, the Senior Tour's all-time career money winner on the back of 20 titles, praised Job's performance but is ready to pile on the pressure.
"The back nine he played great, having got away with a couple of things on the front nine," said Mason.
"He putted beautifully but there's every possibility it could turn around tomorrow as the course is playing beautifully.
"The greens are receptive to your shots so good scoring is possible. I'll give it a go as I know Nick will be feeling a bit under pressure and I know what that's all about.
"If I can stick close to him and get a couple of early birdies a three shot lead can disappear very quickly."
Scotland's Bill Longmuir, who shot a second successive 69, and France's Gery Watine, who conjured up a 67, sit at six-under but will need some serious scoring if they are to trouble the leader.
In-form Gordon J Brand, who had won three of the previous two titles coming into the event, slipped off the pace with a 69 to finish at three-under admitting fatigue was taking its toll. Italian Costantino Rocca, second at last year's PGA Seniors Championship over the track, failed to find his touch ending the day down the field at level par after a second successive 72.