McGowan slips but stays in hunt

McGowan had two bogeys and a double bogey in his outward nine

R3 LEADERBOARD:
(GB unless stated)
-6 A Noren (Swe)
-5 R McGowan
-4 P Martin-Benavides (Sp), G Storme
Selected others:
-2 A Forsyth, P Lawrie, A Oldcorn, J Spence
-1 S Gallacher

England's Ross McGowan is just one shot off the lead going into the final day of the Portuguese Open after struggling to a third-round 72 in Oitavos.

The 24-year-old, playing in only his second European Tour event, had led at the halfway stage but got off to a poor start on Saturday and went out in 40.

He is now on five under, one stroke behind leader Alex Noren of Sweden, who carded a second straight 68.

England's Graeme Storm is with amateur Pablo Martin on four under.

Martin, who was 23rd at the midway stage, carded a stunning 29 on the back nine for a 66 to give himself a very real chance of becoming the first amateur to win a European Tour event.

And the Spaniard says he has learnt from the experience of 2003 when, as a 17-year-old, he led the Spanish Open after three rounds before fading on the final day.

"It is awesome to be in this kind of place again," he said. "I might have lost my chance then but I learned a lot from the experience.

"I think I have matured a little bit since then. I was at school then and brought my books with me.

"On Sunday I shall play it one shot at a time and try to deal with the situation this time."

McGowan had two bogeys and then a double-bogey seven on the outward half but started the inward nine with back-to-back birdies and picked up another shot on the 16th.

Paul Broadhurst looks to be out of contention after carding three bogeys and a double bogey in a disappointing 75.

The Englishman, who is trying to emulate Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Tiger Woods in winning the same tournament for a third year in a row, is two over - eight shots off the lead.