Despite a last hole double bogey England’s Simon Dyson is still targeting a ninth national Open success of his career with victory in the Reale Serguros Open de Espania in Seville.

Dyson let slip a three stroke lead in posting a 71 for five under par tally and now just one clear of overwhelming home crowd favourite Pablo Larrazabal (69) and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen (71) who share second place on four under par.

Simon Dyson looks worried about a putt at the ninth but it was the 18th hole that proved the big disappointment. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

The 34-year old flaxen-haired Dyson flew the green with his approach shot but failed to get out of a bunker in regulation down the last to finish with a 71 and see his lead reduced to one stroke lead on five under par.

“I just got flyer with my second shot, a six-iron and had 180-yards to the pin but it just came off like a bullet,” he said.

“I’m just really disappointed as I should be out of sight the way I am playing.

“So it was a disappointing way to finish because 17 ¾ holes I played really good.“My shots all day, except for last, were straight down the flags.”

Dyson is the highest world ranked player in the field at No. 36 and is seeking a seventh European Tour victory.

If successful, it would be Dyson’s ninth national Open triumph in 10 pro career victories to go with three Dutch Open wins (2006, 2009, 2011) along with victory in the Irish Open (2011), China Open (2000), Macau Open (2000) and Hong Kong Open (2000).

“I’ve still got a one shot lead and while I should be out of sight in leading so I will have to go out and enjoy the challenge again, “ said Dyson.

Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal (69) and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen (71) share second place on four under par.

Larrazabal is looking to win his national Open for a first occasion and a just a week after capturing an ALPS Tour event in his home city of Barcelona.

It was Larrazabal’s first success in Spain.

Twelve months ago, Larrazabal carried the weight of his country into the final round of the Spanish Open and just two days after Seve Ballesteros had passed away but ending in third place.

“I played great today with three birdies in a row around the turn and just trying to stay patient, and even with a bogey at the last it is a great round,” he said.

“This is a special tournament for me as it is the Spanish Open.    Seve (Ballesteros) won it a lot of times, Sergio (Garcia) has won it and Alvaro Quiros won it here in Seville two years ago.

“So many of my heroes have won the Spanish Open and not because it is the Spanish Open but who have won it before.

“And unlike most tournaments that are a putting contest on the greens, this is a tournament where from tee-to-green you have to play well and then on the greens putt well.

”But tomorrow will be tomorrow and I have put myself in position to win and no matter what is my score tomorrow it will be fun.”

And despite criticism of the toughness of the Seville course set-up Larrazabal is enjoying the challenge.

“I like challenging golf courses and I don’t like tournaments where the winning scores are 20 or 25-under par,” he said.

“I like to fight for the scores and I like it when the conditions are tough like this and you have to managed yourself well to make pars.

“So I like the set-up of this week and I hope the wind keeps blowing again tomorrow.”

Kjeldsen, who turns 37 next month, fought back from a ninth hole double bogey, to birdie three of his last six holes on the course where he captured his last victory, the 2009 Andalucian Open.

Spain’s Jorge Campillo, also with a double bogey on his card, recorded a 73 to be lying fourth at three under par.