Sunday 2 August 2015 15:36, UK
Pontus Widegren remained on course for a maiden European Tour title after a birdie at the 18th gave him the 54-hole lead at the Madeira Islands Open.
The Swede, who shared the overnight lead with England's Sam Walker, recovered from a nervy start to fire an entertaining five-under 67 which included two eagles on the front nine, and his third birdie of the round at the last took him into the outright lead on 16 under par.
Widegren hit back from an opening bogey with eagles at both the third and seventh holes, and a birdie at the eighth helped him to the turn in 33 before he picked up further shots at 12 and 18.
"It was very good today," he said. "It was a bit tough at the start but I managed to get a nice eagle at number three and then I had some good momentum from there.
"I struggled on the greens today a little bit so it was all about my game from tee to green. I played really well on the back nine but I couldn't make any putts with the chances I got. Five under is still a good score though and I'm right where I want to be so I'm really happy.
"I saw there were a lot of good scores going up on the leaderboard and that's what got me going on the back nine I think. I pushed myself then and gave myself a lot of chances. Not all of them went in but hopefully more putts will drop tomorrow.
"It's been my dream since I was a kid to play on the European Tour and to compete, like where I am now, so I'm very happy to be here and hopefully I can have a good final day."
The 24-year-old enjoys a one-shot advantage over Finland's Roope Kakko and Scotland's Scott Henry. Kakko birdied his final three holes en route to a day's best 64 to put himself firmly in contention for Sunday's final round.
He was three under for his round after three holes following a birdie at the first and eagle at the par-five third, and although he picked up further shots at the seventh, eighth and 12th a bogey at the 15th dropped him back before he finished his round with a flourish.
Henry made five birdies in his opening seven holes as he carded a bogey-free seven-under-par 65.
South Africa's Brandon Stone is on 14 under par overall after a third-round 66, with Sweden's Bjorn Akesson two further shots back, one ahead of Welshman Rhys Davies.
But Walker struggled to a one-over 73 to slip six shots off the pace alongside compatriot Tom Murray, Spain's Antonio Hortal and Belgium's Pierre Relecom.
