England's Andy Sullivan will take a five-stroke lead into the final round of the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura

Sullivan backed up successive 64s with a 67 at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Club, extending his overnight lead by one.

Organisers responded to bad weather forecasts by ordering a shotgun start on Saturday morning, players teeing off on all 18 holes, and the same conditions will be in place on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Sullivan is aiming to become the first player on the European Tour to claim three victories this season, and shot four under to push his case.

He totalled six birdies but bogeyed at seven and 16 to halt his progress at 18 under for the tournament.

Spain’s Eduardo De La Riva is Sullivan’s nearest rival, carding 68 to jump a place into second.

Another Spaniard, Jorge Campillo, and another Englishman, Chris Wood, sit joint third on 11 under.

Wood hit the round of the day, four birdies and an eagle three on the 12th earned him a 65 and catapulted him 23 places up the leaderboard.

Thomas Pieters, second at the start of the day, gained a stroke to slip back to a share of fifth with fellow Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts.

The remaining Irish golfers are all way off the pace in Vilamoura, with Padraig Harrington the closest to the lead on 13 under par.

Damien McGrane is one under par for the tournament following a third round 73 while Paul Dunne and Kevin Phelan both sit at four over.