David Horsey and Mikko Ilonen swiftly decreased Marcel Siem’s lead as the third round of the Trophée Hassan II began at Golf du Palais Royal.
Three clear overnight, the 32 year old German Siem – needing a victory to give himself a chance of climbing into the Official World Golf Ranking’s top 50 on Sunday in the nick of time for a Masters Tournament invite – followed a bogey at the first with two pars to drop back to 11 under par.
A 15 foot birdie at the first had got 2011 winner Horsey within one, but the Englishman drove into ice plant off the tee at the third and did well to drop only one shot as he returned to nine under.
That left Finland’s Ilonen, who won both his European Tour titles back in 2007, to take up the pursuit on ten under after a birdie at the difficult third from 40 feet.
While conditions at Agadir were sunny, the breeze was back up and none of the early starters had managed better than David Drysdale’s 67, which took the Scot from 44th into a tie for 12th.
