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Chris Wood, who burst on to the scene with top-five finishes at the 2008 and 2009 British Opens, was in pole position to land his maiden victory after the PGA Championship third round on Saturday.
The tall, mop-haired Briton rolled in a 25-foot birdie putt at the 16th before playing a delicate greenside bunker shot to within inches of the cup at the last to save his par and record a 67 for 205, eight under par.
That left Wood, 22, two ahead of countryman Danny Willett (70) and Swede Robert Karlsson, who after flying home to Monaco on Friday believing he had missed the cut, fired a course record 62 having rushed back in time for his 0855 teeoff at Wentworth.
The 2008 European number one had only three hours sleep but quickly proved he was wide awake, racking up nine birdies in a flawless effort to establish the lowest round at the European Tour's flagship event, dating back to 1955.
"It was quite funny at breakfast because (Dane) Soren Hansen said, 'This trip has a 63 or something written all over it'," Karlsson told reporters.
Karlsson was livid with himself 24 hours earlier after a double-bogey seven at the 18th left him on three-over 145.
"It feels like I definitely got another chance today," said the 40-year-old. "I was sure I was out but in a situation where I just made the cut, I could just go out and play and enjoy it.
"If it doesn't work, nobody cares," said Karlsson after eclipsing the 63s by Nick Job in 1973, Wayne Riley in 1991, Angel Cabrera in 2001, Jarrod Moseley in 2002 and Robert Dinwiddie in 2008.
Briton Luke Donald, the overnight leader, could only manage a 72 as he finished in fourth place on 208, two ahead of a cluster of players including holder Paul Casey and triple major winner Padraig Harrington.
South African Ernie Els, who redesigned the new-look West Course, wrecked his title hopes by slumping to a 76 for 215.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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