Sunday 21 May 2017 17:09, UK
Alvaro Quiros remains on course to claim a first European Tour title since 2011 after opening up a five-shot lead during the third round of the Rocco Forte Open.
The Spanaird defied strong winds at Vendura Golf Club to post a one-under 71 and extend his overnight advantage, with Zander Lombard his closest challenger on 11 under.
Pep Angles fired a round-of-the-day 68 to grab third spot with Italy's Renato Paratore, on a day where only seven players managed to post an under-par round.
Beginning the day two strokes clear, Quiros drained an 18-footer at the first before doubling his cushion by cancelling out a blemish at the third with a close-range gain at the next.
Quiros posted back-to-back bogeys from the fifth and saw his lead reduced futher when Lombard posted a birdie-two at the seventh, before the South African moved ahead with an eagle at the ninth.
Lombard reached the turn in a share of the lead but bogeyed his first three holes on the back nine, as Quiros moved back ahead with a five-foot gain at the 12th and a birdie from double the distance at the 14th.
Quiros dropped a shot at the 15th but moved five ahead when Lombard double-bogeyed the 18th, before the Spaniard fired over a TV tower from a cart path to finish with an unlikely par.
First round joint-leader Michael Hoey struggled to a four-over 75 to slip seven strokes off the pace, joining David Horsey, Lee Slattery, Raphael Jacquelin, Jose-Filipe Lima and Johan Carlsson on nine under.
European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn sits in a share of 30th, while former Masters champions Mike Weir - playing in the weekend in an event for the first time since November 2014 - struggled to a five-over 76.
Watch the final round of the Rocco Forte Open live on Sunday from 10am on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
