Alvaro Quiros found himself alone at the top of the leaderboard as strong winds defended the West Course on day three of the BMW PGA Championship.
The Spaniard remained level par through his first three holes despite missing a four foot birdie putt at the first, and at six under par was one shot clear of Italy's Matteo Manassero.
The 18 year old dropped a shot at the opener after driving into sand to be one over through three, with Spain's José Manuel Lara third on four under after starting with three pars.
Luke Donald, who had led by two after the first day and shared the lead with Quiros and Manassero overnight, found trouble at the short second and double bogeyed before missing a 20 foot par putt at the next to slide to three under.
Lee Westwood, the man Donald needs to finish ahead of to capture the World Number One spot, was on the same mark after three birdies and a solitary bogey in his first eight holes.
Unlike his compatriot, Westwood nailed his tee shot at the second to within five feet, and although he overshot the green and bogeyed the next, responded with further gains at the fourth and sixth.
Quiros, Manassero and Lara all birdied the par five fourth, and when Westwood picked up a shot at the 11th he was alone in fourth.
Donald was in solo fifth as he steadied his round with consecutive pars.
