England’s Benn Barham continued his bold bid to lead from start to finish when he held onto his five stroke overnight lead in the third round of the Open Mahou de Madrid on the European Challenge Tour at La Herreria Club de Golf.
The 29 year old from Kent kept his firm stranglehold on the tournament with a five under par 66 for a 17 under par total of 196 and a five shot advantage over Spaniards Tomas Jesus Muñoz and Juan Francisco Parron.
Barham, bidding to win for a second time on the Challenge Tour following his victory in the NCC Open four years ago, continued the front running tactics he employed after his opening round of 63 on Thursday.
And he was never in any danger of being caught in the third round thanks to birdies at the fifth, sixth and 15th with an superb eagle three thrown in for good measure at the eighth with a drive and four iron to two feet In 54 holes, Barham has only dropped one shot against the card.
:left]He said: “I played well again and kept the ball in fairway. Hopefully I will make more putts tomorrow. I planned my way around - you don't smash the driver off each tee on this course.
“I'm going to do my best and hope to do well. I aim to concentrate on every shot and enjoy it. I've been in contention before and it would mean a lot if I win here. It's been a good season so far but this would really make it special.”
Muñoz, who opened with rounds of 66 and 70, made a surge through the field with a third round 65 which contained three birdies and an eagle while Parron signed for a seven under par 64 and joint second place on 201.
Muñoz, who it a six iron to 12 feet and holed the eagle putt at the 15th, said: “I've played well today and tomorrow I will go out and have fun and, who knows, tomorrow we may have one of those surprise final rounds".
Parron, 23 years old son of a club professional, shot the low round of the day and after his 64, said: “Today everything went well. On the back nine I had chances at every hole. As the day was going on, I became more confident and I hope I can repeat this performance tomorrow.
“This is the first time I’v started with the leaders on the final round and I hope I can stand the pressure, I will try to go out and have fun. I could be the surprise package but we will see tomorrow.”
