Birdies and eagles were the order of the day again at the Canaries Spanish Open in Tenerife today - but overnight leaders Paul Casey and Miles Tunnicliff both missed out at the start of their third rounds.
The pair, 15 under par overnight and two clear of the field, both paid a price for pulling their approaches to the 539-yard first. They each had to settle for fives which cost them top spot.
Former Ryder Cup player David Gilford took over at the top after producing a joint best of the week 63 to reach 16 under.
Gilford, without a victory since 1994, had four birdies in an outward 32, then five more coming home in 31.
German Marcel Siem had a 64 to move to 14 under, while Swede Peter Hedblom joined Casey in second place on 15 under with four birdies in his first five holes just as Tunnicliff bogeyed the short second.
No fewer than eight players were on 14 under, Jose Maria Olazabal among them after a birdie at the first which had an element of good luck about it.
Olazabal, seeking his first Spanish Open, skipped over the guarding bunker in front of the green and two-putted for his four.
Compatriot Sergio Garcia, trying to become the first player since Max Faulkner 50 years ago to make a successful defence of the title, was 13 under with three to play - and that was good enough only for 13th spot with a whole stack of others who were expecting to push him further down.
Peter Lawrie and Graeme McDowell lead the Irish challenge. Lawrie is 13 under par after three holes of his third round while McDowell is on the same score after seven.
Paul McGinley is one shot further behind on 12 under.
PA