Pontus Widegren birdies last to take one-shot lead in Madeira

Pontus Widegren’s birdie on the final hole gave the Swede the outright lead heading into the final day of the rescheduled Madeira Islands Open.

Widegren, who was joint top of the leaderboard overnight, made a poor start to his round with a bogey at the first, but eagles on both par-fives on the front nine ignited his charge.

The 24-year-old's birdie on the 12th helped him to a share of the lead before he picked up another shot at the last to lift him to 16 under par overall – one shot clear of Finland's Roope Kakko and Scotland's Scott Henry.

Kakko birdied his final three holes en route to a day’s best 64 to put himself firmly in contention for Sunday’s final round.

He was three under for his round after three holes following a birdie at the first and eagle at the par-five third, and although he picked up further shots at the seventh, eighth and 12th a bogey at the 15th dropped him back before he finished his round with a flourish.

Henry made five birdies in his opening seven holes as he carded a bogey-free seven-under-par 65.

South Africa's Brandon Stone is on 14 under par overall after a third-round 66, with Sweden's Bjorn Akesson two further shots back, one ahead of Welshman Rhys Davies.

England's Sam Walker, who shared the overnight lead with Widegren, struggled on Saturday in his one-over-par 73 and lies six shots off the lead on 10 under, alongside compatriot Tom Murray, Spain's Antonio Hortal and Belgium's Pierre Relecom.

Waterford's Kevin Phelan carded a third straight three-under 69 to move to nine under, while Donegal golfer Ruaidhri McGee is two under after a level-par 72.