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Vancsik with one shot lead in Portugal Masters

20/10/2007

Argentinian Daniel Vancsik will head into the final round of the Portugal Masters tomorrow with a one shot lead after hitting a third round 68 to finish on 18-under-par for the tournament.

Vancsik started the day with a two shot lead but saw that disappear as he could only manage a 36 on the front nine. But he played much better in the second half of the round as he birdied holes ten, 12, 15 and 17 to stay on top of the leader board.

The 30-year-old Vancsik also led after the third round of the Madrid Open last week, only to blow it in the final round with a quintuple-bogey at the fifth hole. But he is confident that history will not repeat itself tomorrow.

"I like this course because I can hit my driver all the time, which gives me a lot of chances for birdie," Vancsik said. "For tomorrow I will try and stay patient and if my putter is working well, I will have a good chance to win."

Englishman Steve Webster carded a third round 67 and South African Charl Schwartzel hit 66 to finish a shot behind Vancsik.

Lee Westwood is still in with a chance of winning after he ended the day on 15-under-par. Justin Rose, meanwhile, overcame back problems and blisters to hit a round of 66 and finish on 11-under-par.

"It's been a funny week, and I feel like I'm falling apart," said Rose. "But I'm just getting on with business - and I think 66 is the worst I could have shot.

"I felt like it could have been 10 better, but it's a step in the right direction. My back was okay until the 14th, and then it started really hurting me.

"But I'm trying not to think about it and I'm looking forward to the end of the year more than anything else."