Neuville amassed 780,000 chips over five levels of play, which puts him just above PokerStars qualifier Alexander Manson who picked up 730,000.
The Belgian Team PokerStars Pro has over $1 million in lifetime live tournament earnings, including a runner-up finish at EPT Vilamoura for $383,000, but has yet to score a major title.
Melanie Weisner, the chip leader to start the day, busted in surprising fashion when she smashed her A-Q into Steve O’Dwyer’s pocket aces. A few hands later Weisner got all-in with A-Q again and was busted by Stig Christensen’s A-K.
Fortunately the money bubble burst near the start of the day so Weisner picked up 65,000 (DKK), or $11,633 for busting in 28th place.
Weisner wasn’t the only notable player to hit the rail as Liverpool football legend Jan Molby, Simon Ravnsbaek and Mads Wissing all busted,
Neuville will have his work cut out for him if he wants to close this tournament out as Aage Ravn (691,000), Martin Staszko (432,000) and Steve O’Dwyer (423,500) are all stacked heading into the last 24 players.
Amazingly Swedish pro Michael Tureniec, who is the defending EPT Copenhagen champion, still has a chance to repeat with 294,000 chips.
He would have been amongst the chip leaders if not for losing with pocket aces versus Neuville’s two-pair near the end of the day.
The event resumes tomorrow at 12:00 CET with a goal of setting the final table of eight players.
Here’s a look at the top 10 chip counts at the end of Day 3:
1. Pierre Neuville – 780,000 2. Alexander Manson – 730,000 3. Aage Floenes Ravn – 691,000 4. Alejandro Sahnchez Fernandez – 620,000 5. Keld Volquardsen – 523,000 6. Spencer Hudson – 523,500 7. Bjarke Hansen – 460,000 8. Mickey Petersen – 451,000 9. Martin Staszko – 432,500 10. Steve O’Dwyer – 423,500
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