Mark Warren and Craig Lee combined to send the Scottish flag flying high atop of the leaderboard with a round to play in the Open de España.
Warren posted a third round 68 to move to eight under par and two shots clear of his Tartan-born compatriot on day three of the prestigious event being played on the Parador de El Salader course in Seville.
It’s been 19 years since Colin Montgomerie was the last Scot to lift the Spanish Open trophy at the Club de Campo course in Madrid.
Warren, who is looking to end a six-year winless drought since capturing his second Eurpean Tour event at Gleneagles, had little trouble picking up birdies this week, but did a better job of eliminating mistakes as gains on three, five, seven, ten, 12 and 15 overshadowed bogeys on nine and 14.
Scotland’s Marc Warren one round away from ending a six-year winless drought with success in the Spanish Open. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“I am very pleased with today’s work,” said Warren whose wife, Laura is expecting the couples first child.
“They were tough conditions on a tough golf course so to shoot 68 is a very pleasing day.
“I like the fact you’ve got to hit so many different shots (in the wind). There was always something to the shots today and I felt as if I did well today. Hopefully that continues tomorrow.“
Concentration is paramount, especially on a course as tough as this one, and it will be tomorrow.”
The hallmark of his play was an excellent short game with several outstanding up and downs being complemented by brilliance on the greens.
“To score well, you have to hole out well,” he added.
Lee, who is yet to taste Race to Dubai success, would have shared for the lead had it not been for a poor finish to an otherwise exemplary round.
The Stirling golfer picked up shots at the fourth, fifth, 14th and 15th holes but the 35-year old let slip sharing the lead with Warren with bogeys at 16 and 17.
“I played well early on and managed to get a couple of birdies, but the end was difficult with the wind and I threw a couple (of shots) away,” said Lee.
“It is always frustrating (to end poorly). There were a couple of easy up and downs and I did not quite make the most of them.
“But I am delighted with the position that I am in; the game is pretty good and pretty steady.”
The England pair of David Horsey and Paul Waring share third spot on five under par and with Horsey delivering the day’s best round, a 66 that featured eight birdies.
After beginning the day one over, he caught fire either side of the turn having appeared set for a disappointing day when bogeys on the second and fifth came either side of picking up a shot at three.
He turned things around in stunning fashion by picking up shots on three successive holes from the sixth.
Clearly buoyed, Horsey produced even better on the way in as further birdies came at ten, 13, 14 and 16 to leave him four under overall.
A further shot back alongside Germany’s Maximilian Kieffer, David Howell and France’s Raphaël Jacquelin was overnight leader Peter Uihlein.
It appeared the former US Amateur Champion would extend his advantage following a fast start; he began by holing a 20 footer for birdie and adding another on the third after his eagle pitch lipped out.
However, some stray shots thereafter created bogeys at six, 13, 16 and 17 to undermine a round that began with such promise.
