Lightning suspends play in Portugal

Portugal Masters : Today's play in the third round of today's Portugal Masters was suspended because of lightning with Europe…

Portugal Masters: Today's play in the third round of today's Portugal Masters was suspended because of lightning with Europe's order of merit leader Robert Karlsson, Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and England's Ross Fisher (16) sharing the lead on 14-under par.

Denmark's Soren Hansen was the clubhouse leader on 13-under.

Karlsson moved into a share of the lead with his sixth birdie of the day on the 15th, but it then became a three-way tie as Quiros birdied three of the first four holes after the turn.

At 4.50pm (local time), however, play was suspended because of an approaching thunderstorm.

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Rory McIlory is still the leading Irishman after he recorded his third 69 of the week to be well placed on nine-under, good enough to be tied 11th at the Algarve venue.

Gary Murphy was next of the Irish contingent on five-under after today's 67 moved the Kilkenny native up almost 30 places and into the top 30. Peter Lawrie was a shot further back after his 71.

It was a disappointing day for Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke as they signed for a respective 73 and 74 to be two-and one-under for the tournament.

Overnight leader Stuart Manley from Wales dropped off the pace a little as he was only level par for the day, 11-under overall, through 13 holes when play was suspended.