He was only a shot behind overnight leader Alejandro Canizares.

CNN: Manassero becomes youngest PGA Championship winner

Molinari's superb four-under 68 in testing conditions has left the Italian Ryder Cup star one shot clear of South Africa's George Coetzee, Scotland's Marc Warren, Mark Foster of England and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares.

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Germany's Martin Kaymer shot 68 to finish third on eight under with England's Lee Westwood (71), Sweden's Henrik Stenson (67) and Spain's Alejandro Canizares (71) eight shots back and American Dustin Johnson (69) nine behind.

BBC: The Open 2010: Oosthuizen maintains lead in Open