Donald charges into contention in Paris

Luke Donald shone in Europe yet again, but still has no plans to start playing more on this side of the Atlantic. A third-round 67 in the French Open at Paris's Le Golf National course gives Donald a chance to continue a run which has seen him finish second, first and third in his previous three starts on European soil.

With 18 holes to play the world No 7, taking another step towards regaining the Ryder Cup place he lost through injury two years ago, is seven-under, two adrift of the defending champion, Martin Kaymer. The brilliant German took advantage of the calamitous finish of Alejandro Canizares, who visited water twice in his final three holes and saw four shots – and a three-stroke lead – slip away in the process.

Kaymer will fear Donald most of all. The Englishman outscored his playing partner, Rory McIlroy, by two, finishing in style with a 210-yard three-iron over the water to 15 feet. Making the birdie putt completed an inward 31 and, having lowered his score each day, Donald said: "I'm moving in the right direction. I do enjoy coming over, but it would be a pretty big upheaval to play more in Europe. I want to play against the best and most of the time the PGA Tour has stronger fields."

Meanwhile, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter had to settle for 71s that kept them at three-under and needing spectacular rounds today.