Willett counts on experience

Willett: Making progress

European Tour Q-School Final Stage
Third round leaders
GB&Ire unless stated
-17 O Henningsson (Swe)
-14 D Willett
-12 E Tage Johansen (Nor)
-10 B Wiesberger (Aut)
-9 B Grace (Rsa)
-9 C Del Moral (Spn)
-9 W Ormsby (Aus)

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Former world amateur number one Danny Willett has further improved his chances of earning a place on next year's European Tour after carding the best score on day three of the qualifying school final.

Starting the day in a tie for sixth place, the 21-year-old rookie shot an eight-under-par 63 over the PGA Golf de Catalunya's Red Course.

Willett's round therefore moved him on to a 14-under aggregate and into second place behind leader Oskar Henningsson.

The Yorkshireman said his progress through the gruelling Q-School process has been aided by the presence of caddy Malcolm Mason, who carried Sam Torrance's bag during the former Ryder Cup captain's years on tour.

"Malcolm has been with me since the Johnnie Walker at Gleneagles in August and he has come through all the Q-school stages with me," said the former Walker Cup player after a round whose highlight was a seven iron to eight feet for eagle at the 10th.

"We are getting used to each other. His experience is vital in these situations. He is an authoritative figure and if he tells me to do something then I will do it. He knows what to do and it's great for me to have someone like that around."

Momentum

Meanwhile, halfway leader Henningsson, who has led from day one, crafted a round of 65 for a 17-under-par total as his bid to land one of the 30 tour cards available gathered momentum.

"This has to be some of the best golf I've ever played in my career," said the Swede, who birdied his final three holes.

"I certainly can't remember another time like it and things couldn't really be going any better."

Former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart, who lost his tour card at the end of 2007, boosted his own chances of a return with a four under 67 which lifted him into a share of 15th place.

The Scot's seven under total therefore places him alongside another former Ryder Cup player, Sweden's Joakim Haeggman, and Bristol rookie Chris Wood, who finished fifth in July's Open at Birkdale.

However, another ex-Ryder Cup star, Peter Baker, is in danger of missing the 72-hole cut on four over despite shooting 68 on Saturday.