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Barcelona - British duo David Howell and James Morrison share the lead in the Spanish Open, two shots clear of Italy's Francesco Molinari, after Saturday's third round.
Morrison improved on rounds of 70 and 71 with a four-under par 68, achieved despite a double bogey at the par five second.
He was joined on a three-round total of 209 by Howell who signed for a 68, helped by a birdie at the last.
"I'm delighted to be in the mix again," said the Englishman who has three top five finishes already this season.
"I haven't managed to win this year but I've given myself three chances and this is going to be a fourth chance -- hopefully I'll do it tomorrow (Sunday)."
Morrison, reflecting on his performance so far at the El Prat course, said: "It's been three very silly days -- the first day I was three over after five holes and today made a seven at the second out of nowhere and fought my way back again.
"It's what you've got to do really - it takes one good shot to get back in it.
"I've done that all week; I've really maintained my process and my game plan."
Third-placed Molinari is one shot clear of Emiliano Grillo and Darren Fichardt with France's overnight leader Edouard Espana slipping down to sixth, four shots off the pace, after a 76.
World number seven Sergio Garcia shot the lowest round of the day, 67, to lie five shots off the top of the leaderboard.
He said: "If the leaders don't go much lower than what they are, with another great round tomorrow I have a chance. If it doesn't rain the course is not going to play any easier."
Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez trailed compatriot Garcia by a shot.
Scores of the third round scores on Saturday in the EPGA Spanish Open at Real Club de Golf El Prat (pat 72, GBR & IRL unless stated):
209 - David Howell 71 69 69, James Morrison 70 71 68
211 - Francesco Molinari (ITA) 72 69 70
212 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 70 70 72, Darren Fichardt (RSA) 66 73 73
213 - Edouard Espana (FRA) 68 69 76
214 - Ricardo Gonzalez (ARG) 69 69 76, Benjamin Hebert (FRA) 71 70 73, Byeong-Hun An (KOR) 72 70 72, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 75 72 67, Jorge Campillo (ESP) 74 70 70, Michael Hoey 71 68 75
215 - John Parry 68 73 74, Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) 72 71 72, Matt Ford 67 76 72
216 - Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 70 76 70, Gregory Havret (FRA) 71 71 74, Matthew Fitzpatrick 72 71 73, Trevor Fisher jnr (RSA) 65 78 73, Y.E. Yang (KOR) 73 71 72
217 - Ben Evans 73 73 71, Thomas Aiken (RSA) 74 71 72, Paul Maddy 70 70 77, David Horsey 69 77 71, Mikko Korhonen (FIN) 71 73 73, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 71 73 73, Eduardo De La Riva (ESP) 66 77 74, Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 69 73 75
Selected:
218 - Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 74 70 74, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 73 73 72
219 - Andrew Dodt (AUS) 71 77 71
220 - Wade Ormsby (AUS) 77 71 72
223 - Peter Uihlein (USA) 72 73 78
224 - Richard Green (AUS) 72 75 77
