Molinaris lead the way

Francesco Molinari holds a one-shot lead over big brother Edoardo heading into the final round of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

The pair respectively fired a four-under-par 68 and 69 as they ensured they would once more play together in the final round of a European Tour event in Scotland.

That happened at the Scottish Open last month and it was Edoardo who ultimately triumphed: an outcome that, were it to happen again on Sunday, would add yet another variable to Colin Montgomerie's already complicated Ryder Cup equation.

Francesco is already assured of a place in the European side but Edoardo could yet be a wildcard pick on Sunday - something he said he would expect were he to win.

"I would be very upset if I win and he doesn't pick me," Molinari said. "I'm probably one of the candidates, so I think if you win the last event and you don't get picked there's something seriously wrong."

Debate

The debate surrounding Montgomerie's picks has been raging for days, with favourites Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey and Luke Donald all deciding to stay in America rather than fly to Europe and chase qualification.

Justin Rose, also in with a shout, chose to play in the season-ending FedExCup too - which starts this week with the Barclays event - and some believe that Montgomerie should plump for Molinari.

He and Francesco were World Cup winners last November and he now stands 22nd in the world a year after being on Europe's 'second division' Challenge Tour.

Montgomerie, who two years ago criticised Ian Poulter for not being at Gleneagles in the exact same circumstances, was asked if he could leave Edoardo out if he wins.

"Oh yeah," he replied before quickly adding: "I might not. It would make my headache even worse, but it's a lovely headache to have.

"I don't feel under pressure to pick somebody from this tournament. I feel under pressure to pick the best players.

"It's an extremely interesting situation we find ourselves in - and it would happen to me!"

There is further Cup interest at the top of the leaderboard with Simon Dyson, who still has a chance of grabbing an automatic place, in a tie for third place on eight under after a third-round 70.

Gregory Bourdy (70), Stephen Gallacher (71), Julien Guerrier (73) and Oliver Wilson (68) join him, with another Cup hopeful, Miguel Angel Jimenez, among nine players in a tie for eighth after shooting a 71.

Focus

Dyson has to win and hope that either Jimenez is outside the top nine or Peter Hanson is outside the top 43. Hanson's 75 currently leaves him in a 10-way tie for 32nd.

"Miguel's score never entered my mind once out there," said Dyson, who also admitted he did not know where Jimenez needs to finish to deny him until told in a television interview. "You can't really focus on anybody else's score. I'm just focusing on my own."

Francesco Molinari was the ninth player to have at least a share of the lead during the day's play.

Gary Boyd and David Lynn and Frenchman Guerrier were joint leaders overnight, but the English pair slumped to a 74 and a 77 respectively.

With speculation surrounding Montgomerie's picks reaching boiling point, one eventuality that can be ruled out is that Francesco will step aside on the final hole to let Edoardo win.

"I want to win - it's been four and a half years since I have," said the 2006 Italian Open champion.