Paul Broadhurst grabbed a slender lead heading into the final round of the Estoril Open de Portugal following a third round dominated by Maarten Lafeber`s astonishing 64.
Broadhurst ended the day on seven under par after carding a solid 67 at Oitavos Dunes to take a one shot club house lead over Lafeber, Jamie Donaldson and David Lynn.
“There must be something in the beer in Portugal,” said Broadhurst, who fired six birdies - including four on the back nine.
"The windy conditions suit my game. There are one or two tight holes, but a bit of a room on others. And after struggling with my putter for two or three months it seems to be working."
The day however belonged to Lafeber after he completed the back nine in just 28 shots - nearly equalling The European Tour record of 27.
The Dutchman had rocketed in five consecutive birdies, beginning at the 444 yard par four tenth.
He then added and an eagle on the 573 yard par five 16th after chipping in from 20 meters, leaving himself with a 20 foot putt on the 473 yard par four 18th to equal the record.
However the feat just slipped from his grasp as his effort fell short, although the 34 year old was still delighted.
“It was a great round of golf. I played fantastically,” he said.
“I was very happy with my game yesterday and I played as good as that today. I can't remember being that low on the back nine before in a tournament.”
“I played solidly on the front nine and didn't get anything out of it and suddenly hit five birdies in a row and I was flying.”
Lynn, also tied for second, had a similarly successful round - signing for a card containing seven birdies en-route to a six under par 65.
“It's nice to get this round,” he said afterwards.
“Seasons have peaks and troughs and you just keep going and keep working away. A 65 in this wind has done my confidence the power of good.”
Donaldson, who is the last of the trio at six under par following a round of 67, said: “I hit a lot of greens and my putting was very good out there.
“I hit a lot of birdie putts and it`s a great golf course.”
Overnight leader Ross McGowan slipped down into a tie for third at five under par with Paul Lawrie after a bogey at the last handed him a round of 71.
“It was pretty tough again out there,” he said.
“The wind picked up again in the afternoon, and to score 71 means I can't complain because I'm still in the hunt.”
Further down the leaderboard on four under par, but still in with a great shout, were Mads Vibe-Hastrup, Carlos Del Moral, Mikael Lundberg and Alastair Forsyth.
Indeed, Vibe-Hastrup carded an outstanding 65 to lift him up initially from a tie in 55th.
