Day three digest: Mutuactivos Open de España

Everything you need to know from day three in Madrid.

Rahm roared clear, the underdog shone again and putters were not required in round three of the Mutuactivos Open de España.

Here is everything you need to know from moving day in Madrid.

Rahm rockets clear

It's fair to say that World Number Five and defending champion Jon Rahm was the favourite coming into this week but he was not blowing the field away over his first 45 holes. While always in the mix alongside a host of other Spaniards, it was a close run thing, and when he bogeyed the eighth and ninth on Saturday, he was two off the lead. Cue a run of five birdies in six holes and a hole out eagle and he takes a five shot lead into Sunday. Hunting a fifth European Tour win in just 39 events and a place at the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex, it would take a brave person to bet against Rahmbo claiming a second victory of the season.

Plenty of bark in the underdog

Ranked 1,408 places below Rahm in the Official World Golf Ranking is Samuel Del Val. The Spaniard is currently without playing privileges worldwide and playing just his fifth European Tour event. He may be based in Atlanta but is feeling very much at home in the country of his birth, carding a 69 that puts him in a share of second. A victory and he will be the lowest ranked player ever to win on the European Tour. "Only a win would really change anything for me but top five in the world against, what am I, 1,413 or something? I’m focusing on what I’m doing, have a good round and finish as high as I can," he said.

Jens jumps into contention

Sat 166th on the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex with the season approaching its conclusion, Jens Dantorp was in need of a good week in the Spanish capital and a brilliant third round 65 has catapulted him right up the leaderboard. A win will punch his ticket while an improvement on his season's best finish of 20th, will give him both hope and confidence down the stretch. "I’ve been struggling with scoring, it’s felt like I’ve played solid golf all year but just not got it done," he said. "I felt confident coming into the week, even though I haven’t played a lot of weekends. It’s good to be up there."

No putters needed

Ross Fisher made a stunning hole out on Friday and on Saturday the leaders were following suit as Del Val did this.

And then Rahm went one better.

A trip down memory lane for Gonzo

Do you remember your first birdie? Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño remembers his and we got him to try and recreate it. Young Gonzo won this round.