Manama: Robin Roussel opened a four-shot gap on top after another brilliant round — a bogey-free six-under par 66 — after the second round of the Troon Series — Royal Golf Bahrain Open on Tuesday.

At the Colin Montgomerie-designed Royal Golf Club in Manama, the Frenchman moved to 13-under par total going into the final round on Wednesday and gave himself a great chance to win his first title on the Mena Tour by Arena after falling agonisingly short at Ghala Golf Club in Muscat.

Germany’s Stefan Still (68) was in solo second position at nine-under par, with the English duo of Joshua Grenville-Wood and Gary Boyd in tied third place at eight-under par 136.

South Africa’s MG Keyser, winner last week in Dubai Hills, moved himself into contention with a 65 where he was joined by Frenchman Lionel Weber (65), and England’s Robbie Busher (66) and James Allan (69). They were six behind the leader on 137.

Having made birdies on the first three par-5s, Roussel was slightly disappointed not to have converted his chance on the ninth hole (he started from the 10th tee), where he hit a beautiful drive to leave himself a seven-iron second shot, which he pulled into the rough and failed to make an up-and-down from there.

“Still disappointed about missing the birdie on the ninth, but 66, and that too bogey-free, is a great score on this golf course and I really can’t complain,” said the 25-year-old Parisian, who plays on the European Challenge Tour.

“My driver was on fire today. I started with a birdie on the 10th hole, where I almost drove the green and then made birdies on the par-5 13th and 14th holes. They really were easy birdies because I drove the ball well again on both the holes.

“Tomorrow, I am going to think I am tied for the lead and play with that mindset. I know I am playing very well, and I am going to keep playing aggressive golf.”