Lorenzo-Vera leads at brutal Valderrama
Valderrama continued to bare its teeth on Saturday, but little-known Mike Lorenzo-Vera managed to escape most of the carnage.
The Frenchman posted a level-par 71 – one of the best scores an another punishing day at the Open de Espana – to finish on one over par after three rounds.
Incredibly, that was good enough for a one-shot lead over England's Andrew Johnson, who shot a 74, Germany's two-time major champion Martin Kaymer, who also managed to salvage a level-par 71, and Joost Luiten, whose 70 was one of only two under-par rounds on Saturday.
The tournament now looks likely to produce an over-par winner for the first time in Europe since the 2013 Open Championship.
Lorenzo-Vera is ranked just 312th in the world, but even though he found plenty of trouble during his third round, including a double-bogey seven at the fourth and three bogeys over his closing four holes, he also managed three birdies and an unlikely eagle at the 17th to ensure his battle with Valderrama at least ended in a stalemate.
The eagle at 17 was undoubtedly the highlight of the day, and came after Lorenzo-Vero holed his approach to the par-5. It sparked wild celebrations, and though he would bogey the 18th immediately after, it was still good enough to earn him a one-shot cushion heading into Sunday's final round, and a chance at a maiden European Tour title.
"I'm very excited," said the 31-year-old. "I'm going to have a big nap tonight because it takes so much energy to stay patient here.
"I'm just going to try to relax and enjoy it as much as I can tomorrow.
"I'm just trying to look at the pace of the leadeboard and accept that you're going to have a lot of bogeys here. A bogey on the hole is never really a bad score so you just try to accept it. Take the bogey and get out of there."
Kaymer, meanwhile, mixed four birdies with four bogeys, and is probably now the favourite heading into Sunday, as he looks to add to his tally of 11 European Tour wins.
Also still in with a shot are the likes of James Morrison and Ross Fisher at three over par, and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, who led overnight but slumped to a 78. He remains just three strokes back, however.
Latest
-
NewsMatt Wallace reaping rewards from taking pressure off his performances
There are seven British players in the top ten at Fairmont St Andrews.
-
The 19th HoleWATCH: Golf cameraman falls on live TV!
A cameraman took an unexpected tumble on live TV during the opening round of golf’s Scottish Championship!
-
-
NewsWATCH: Martin Laird emotional after breaking seven-year title drought
Martin Laird gets a little bit choked up as he savours his first win in seven years.
-
NewsMartin Laird takes Las Vegas title in play-off
The Scotsman sank a birdie putt from just outside 20 feet to take the tournament.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton describes winning BMW PGA Championship as ‘a dream come true’
The win will see Hatton break into the world’s top 10 for the first time when the rankings are updated on Monday, two days before his 29th birthday.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton enjoys early birthday present with BMW PGA Championship win
The Englishman, who turns 29 next week, will now break into the top 10 of the rankings for the first time.
-
NewsMartin Laird and Patrick Cantlay set the pace in Las Vegas
Laird’s second consecutive eagle on the ninth helped him to a round of 65.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton takes commanding lead into final round at Wentworth
Hatton’s choice of clothing has been a talking point this week.
-
NewsBryson DeChambeau takes Matt Fitzpatrick’s criticism as ‘a compliment’
Fitzpatrick said the big-hitting American was ‘taking the skill out of’ golf.