Britain's Darren Clarke, making a late attempt to claim one of two Ryder Cup wildcard selections, charged three shots clear of the field after the Dutch Open third round on Sunday.
Clarke hit five birdies in a four-under 66 in windy conditions at the Kennemer links course to finish 12-under on 198.
Playing partner Henrik Stenson of Sweden, already guaranteed a place in European captain Nick Faldo's team against the U.S. at Valhalla, Kentucky next month, carded a 68 for 201.
John Bickerton (66) was third on 202, one ahead of fellow Briton Marc Warren (67) and 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand (69).
"I came here to try to show Nick I've got my game going," Clarke told reporters.
His fiery temperament has often let him down on the course but the 40-year-old Northern Irishman said he had learned to be more relaxed after tying for sixth place at this month's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
"If I'd been able to do that (relax) earlier on I'd probably be in a better position Ryder Cup wise," said world number 90 Clarke, who also won the Asian Open in April.
The pressure of fighting for one of the top-10 automatic Ryder Cup places began to show itself, with only Sunday's round and next week's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles to play before Europe's team is decided.
Justin Rose, eighth in the Cup table, lost ground to fellow Briton and ninth-ranked Oliver Wilson.
While Wilson cruised to a blemish-free 66 for 205, Rose recorded an error-strewn 71 for 207.
Dane Soren Hansen, in the 10th qualifying spot, ran up a triple-bogey eight at the second and a bogey at the third before rallying with four birdies to finish with a 70 for 204.
German Martin Kaymer, 11th in the Cup table, slumped to a 74 for 212.
