English pair David Howell and James Morrison both overcame double bogeys on day three of the Open de España to share the lead going into the final round at Real Club de Golf El Prat.

On another day of strong winds and fast greens in Barcelona, Morrison set the pace with a four under par 68 and was joined on seven under for the week when Howell pitched to a couple of feet at the last to complete a third round 69.

Morrison had double bogeyed the par five second, but stormed back with seven birdies and a single dropped shot on the 17th, while Howell also had seven gains, along with two bogeys and a double bogey five on the short eighth after his first tee shot couldn’t be found in undergrowth beyond the green after he misjudged the wind direction.

The 30 year old Morrison won his only European Tour title to date in Madeira five years ago, and after his round said: “It’s been three very silly days – the first day I was three over after five holes and today made a seven at the second out of nowhere and fought my way back again.

David Howell (ENG) on the 18th fairway during Round 3 of the Open de Espana in Club de Golf el Prat, Barcelona on Saturday 16th May 2015.
Picture: Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie

“It’s what you’ve got to do really – it takes one good shot to get back in it. I’ve done that all week; I’ve really maintained my process and my game plan.

“It’s always a great week – it’s always really well run and it’s great fun.”

Howell was narrowly pipped to what would have been a sixth European Tour title of the season last month in China, and has already recorded three top-five finishes this season.

“I’m delighted to be in the mix again,” said Howell.

“I haven’t managed to win this year but I’ve given myself three chances and this is going to be a fourth chance – hopefully I’ll do it tomorrow.

“It’s a real challenge and the course is really firm. But it’s very fair – you’ve got to be on the fairway.

“As the week’s gone on it’s felt like a really, really good championship. It’s got tougher and tougher as the week has gone on and the crowds have come out so it’s just the way it should be.”

Pablo Larrazabal can’t bear to look. (Picture: Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie)

Italy’s Francesco Molinari lies third on five under par after a round of 70, with Emiliano Grillo and Darren Fichardt a shot further back.

Overnight leader Edouard Espana could only manage a 76 as he dropped to sixth on three under, one ahead of a resurgent Sergio Garcia.

Seemingly heading for an early exit when his second round 72 left him three over par and outside the top 80 yesterday lunchtime, a brutal afternoon session saw him make the cut with a shot to spare and he took advantage with a third round 67 which saw him climb into a share of seventh on two under par.M08.jpg

The Spaniard began the back nine in confident fashion by picking up another shot at the tenth, before successive bogeys at the 12th and 13th held up his progress.

Garcia repaired the damage immediately by making birdies at the 14th and 15th holes before picking up another shot at the 18th to sign for a 67.

The Ryder Cup star is hopeful of being in the mix on Sunday, saying: “I obviously needed a great round today, and it would have been if I hadn’t made those two bogeys on 12 and 13. But to be able to birdie 14 and 15 with two very nice shots and good putts got me back on track.

“I didn’t play much different than the first two days. I managed to make a couple of nice putts early on, and a couple of things went my way. I missed my drive on 18 and managed to get away with it and make birdie. That made the difference between today and the first two rounds.

“The course is playing similar. The wind is not as strong but it’s still gusty. If you play well you can post a decent score, but if you’re a little bit off, you can struggle on this course.

“If the leaders don’t go much lower than what they are, with another great round tomorrow I have a chance. If it doesn’t rain the course is not going to play any easier.”

Defending champion Miguel Angel Jiménez, meanwhile, trailed compatriot Garcia by a shot on one under after signing for a level par 72 which included three birdies and three bogeys.

* Copy with thanks to www.europeantour.com