Day three digest: 2021 Gran Canaria Lopesan Open

Everything you need to know from Moving Day on Gran Canaria.

Higgo hit the heights, Wu made some history, Syme's resurgence continued and Schwab made a late charge on day three of the 2021 Gran Canaria Lopesan Open.

Here is everything you need to know from Saturday at Meloneras Golf.

Higgo hits the front

Garrick Higgo achieved a career first on day three as he took the 54 hole lead in a European Tour event. Already a winner in just 23 events, a victory on Sunday would make him the fastest South African to two wins in European Tour history if you take Major Championships out of the mix. A Tour best round of 63 - that started birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle - left him at 18 under, two clear of Matthieu Pavon, Matthias Schwab and Connor Syme. "I'm definitely going to try and be aggressive if I can but I'm just going to enjoy it. It's a good spot to be in," he said.

Wu on 59 Watch

It's been a low scoring week in the Canaries and Wu Ashun became the fourth player to card a course record 61 on Saturday but that is not the whole story. At nine under after 17 holes and with a par five that had been eagled eight times already to finish, the three time winner had an outside chance of a 59. His tee shot meant he had to lay up and the 59 was gone but the 61 was important as it is the lowest score ever by a Chinese player on the European Tour. "I didn’t exactly feel big pressure but the last hole is a good chance to make a birdie," he said. "I just missed it. I didn’t make a birdie on the 18th on the first or second day either. On the tee, my thought was that it is a good hole to make a birdie, but you could have an eagle chance too. I just missed the fairway, then the second shot was just a lay up. The third shot I played very well but I just missed the putt."

Syme maintains momentum

In a low scoring week, an opening 71 was a long way off the pace, so much so that a course record 61 on day two still left Syme six shots off the lead. They say it is tough to follow one low round with another but Syme registered a 62 to get to 16 under and trim that six shot gap to two. "I’ve been playing very well to be honest, it was a bit of a surprise to start so slowly in the first round," he said. "I didn’t feel as if I did too much different the next day when I shot such a good score. It was very low and nice to back it up with another low one. Obviously a good position, gives me a chance going into tomorrow."

Big bird sends Schwab flying

Schwab had endured a frustrating day with the putter. He stood around 80 yards from the hole on the 17th with just two birdies on his card after a very solid day tee to green. Then he did this.

What a response.

Trees? What trees?

It is said there are over 4,000 palm trees at Meloneras Golf. Not a problem for these boys.