Michael Hoey’s title hopes fade in Spain after 75

Michael Hoey's hopes of claiming a sixth European Tour title fell away on Saturday after the Northern Ireland golfer carded a three-over 75 to fall five shots behind David Howell and James Morrison on the top of the Spanish Open leaderboard.

The two English golfers will go into Sunday’s final round at El Prat with a two-shot lead over the rest of the field.

World number 296 Morrison carded a four-under-par 68 despite a double-bogey on the par five second.

Howell also carded one double-bogey, on the par-three eighth, but birdied the last to complete his round of 69.

The duo will go out last at El Prat course in Barcelona on Sunday and compete for a winner’s cheque of €250,000.

Hoey will need to go really low in Barcelona after a third round that included four bogeys and just a single birdie.

“I’m delighted to be in the mix again,” said Howell, who has recorded three top-five finishes this season.

“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.”

Morrison is delighted to be in contention after a week which has seen him card 70, 71 and 68.

He 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.

“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.”

Italy's Francesco Molinari lies third on five under par after a round of 70. Overnight leader Edouard Espana could only manage a 76 as he dropped to sixth on three under, one ahead of a resurgent Sergio Garcia, who shot the lowest round of the day (67).

Garcia became the youngest player to win this tournament back in 2002 when he was just 22 years old.

The world number seven insists he can lift the trophy again on Sunday even though he is five shots off the lead.

He said: ”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. We’ll see what happens today and then I’ll try to play great tomorrow.“

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

Jimenez thrilled the locals by recording a hole in one at the par-three eighth on Friday and, although he birdied the hole on Saturday and also picked up shots at the 12th and 18th, bogeys at the second, ninth and 11th tempered his progress.