The Portuguese Open could produce the first amateur winner in European Tour history tomorrow and if it happens it should not come as a complete surprise.
After a quite stunning back nine of 29 in windy conditions, 20-year-old Spaniard Pablo Martin has given himself another chance to taste victory before he turns professional this summer.
Martin, who three years ago in Tenerife led the Spanish Open with only 17 holes to go, returned a joint best-of-the-week 66 to jump from 23rd place at halfway into a tie for third at Oitavos.
He is two behind his former university team-mate Alex Noren, with last year's English amateur champion Ross McGowan in second spot after a 72.
Martin has already received the Jack Nicklaus award as the top college player in the States and only five weeks ago he made the halfway cut at a US Tour event in Mexico.
This is just his fifth start on the European circuit and, referring to his last round 74 in Tenerife, he said: "I think I have matured a little bit since then. I was at school then and brought my books with me.
"Every time you get to play with that pressure you learn things. I have got another chance now and I feel great — it's great even to be in this place."
The last amateur to win a professional event in Europe was Ireland's Dr David Sheehan at the 1962 Jeyes Tournament at Royal Dublin. But that came before the formation of the Tour.
Two over par and eight behind when he turned in 37, Martin birdied the 10th, then drove the green at the downwind 348-yard 11th and holed a seven-foot putt for an eagle two.
Further birdies came on the 13th, 16th and 18th to give the former British boys champion a four-under aggregate of 209.
Joint third is former British amateur champion Graeme Storm while the group on two under includes 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie, fellow Scot Andrew Oldcorn and Arsenal fan Jamie Spence.
Peter Lawrie is best placed of the three Irishmen still in the field, but is seven shots off the lead on one over par. He carded a third round 71.
Dubliner Paul McGinley (70) is two shots further back on three over while Gary Murphy (73) is four over.
