Agadir - Matteo Manassero shot a 7-under 65 to share the lead of the Hassan II Trophy after the third round was completed on Sunday, keeping alive his hopes of making his professional debut at the Masters next month.
The 18-year old Italian joined 74 other players in resuming their rounds at the Golf du Palais Royal course after strong winds on Friday and poor light on Saturday pushed back play.
He joined Damien McGrane of Ireland (71) at 12 under, one stroke ahead of Jose Manuel Lara of Spain (70).
If the 61st-ranked Manassero is to qualify for the Masters, which starts April 5, he must win the tournament to enter the top 50 in the world rankings. The Italian competed in the 2009 Masters as the British amateur champion.
Leading third-round clubhouse scores in the European Tour Trophee Hassan at the Golf du Palais Royal on Sunday (GBR/IRL unless otherwise stated, par 72):
204 - Damien McGrane 65-68-71, Matteo Manassero (ITA) 69-70-65
205 - Jose Manuel Lara (ESP) 70-65-70
206 - Michael Hoey 74-67-65, Philip Price 68-66-72, Matthew Baldwin 70-68-68, Joel Sjoholm (SWE) 70-66-70
207 - Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 72-69-66, James Kingston (RSA) 70-67-70, Robert-Jan Derksen (NED) 68-69-70
208 - Branden Grace (RSA) 74-67-67, Bradley Dredge 74-68-66, Robert Coles 73-70-65, Hennie Otto (RSA) 69-69-70
209 - Ignacio Garrido (ESP) 69-71-69, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 74-68-67, Graeme Storm 68-72-69, Jorge Campillo (ESP) 68-69-72, Joost Luiten (NED) 70-66-73, Edoardo Molinari (ITA) 68-70-71, Keith Horne (RSA)