England’s Paul Waring will take a two shot lead into the final round as he chases a first Tour victory at the Portugal Masters.
Waring edged ahead of a tightly packed leader board on a day when Scott Jamieson went within four inches to the first 59 on The European Tour.
The 28-year old Waring signed for a four under par 67 to move to 16 under par on the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course at Vilamoura.
Paul Waring signals he’s ready for a first ever Tour success after moving two shots clear of the field on day three of the Portugal Masters. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
However while Waring is two clear of his rivals it was Jamieson stealing the day’s headlines with an eventual 11-under 60 for a new course record.
“I birdied the 13th to be eight under for the round, and I turned and said to my caddie, ‘let’s make history’,” said Jamieson.
“To hit one down the middle on 18 was a relief and I hit a great shot into the last, but it just pitched on a downslope and ran on.
“The chip looked awfully good, and a foot out I thought it still looked good, but it wasn’t to be. My nerves level was right up there with the play-off in South Africa, when I managed to win. I’m just delighted that I could keep making birdies coming down the stretch when I knew what was on the line.”
Waring is seeking his first win on The European Tour at his 118th start and a win on the sun-splashed Algarve would go a long way to ease the pain of his recent injury woes.
“I had a lot of time to almost start again with my swing,” said the 28 year old of his year-long lay-off following wrist surgery. “I’ve also worked so hard on the scoring side of things – chipping and putting and especially pitching with the wedges. It’s been long and hard but it’s worth it.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, and you don’t know what happens with the other lads or what anyone else is going to score. All I can do is control what I can control and do what I can do.”
Alongside Jamieson on 14 under are South African Hennie Otto (69), Welshman Jamie Donaldson (66) and Irishman Simon Thornton (65). Three more players – Spaniards Pablo Larrazábal and Alvaro Quiros and Scotsman Chris Doak – are another shot back at 13 under par heading into the final round.
