Adrian Otaegui charges to top of Andalucia Masters leaderboard after taming Valderrama

Adrian Otaegui seized control of the Andalucia Masters and will take a six-shot lead into the final round. The Spaniard has had a mixed time of things in 2022, but hit form on Saturday at Valderrama to take control of the tournament. Ad With defending champion and pre-tournament favourite Matt Fitzpatrick missing the cut, the door was open for someone to take charge and it was Hidalgo who seized the chance.

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía MastersHidalgo posts tournament record, Fitzpatrick misses cutA DAY AGO Otaegui began the day in a share of the lead, and made his move early on with a run of four birdies in five holes from the second to the sixth. On what is a brutally difficult track, Otaegui consolidated around the turn before finding an excellent birdie on the 16th.

And to assert his authority, Otaegui poured in two more birdies on 17 and 18 to get to 16-under thanks to a round of 64. Third Round Leaderboard 1. Adrian Otaegui, 16-under T2.

Joakim Lagergren, 10-under T2. Angel Hidalgo, 10-under 4. Min Woo Lee, nine-under 5.

Robert MacIntyre, seven-under 6. Jordan Smith, six-under Angel Hidalgo commanded the headlines on Friday when setting the tournament record. His play was not as good 24 hours on, but he still produced the moment of the day when making a miraculous par on the ninth.

His tee shot found the left rough and after attempting to swing the ball round a tree, it hit the bough and went 40 yards backwards and to the left. Playing his third shot from an adjoining fairway, he took the ball over the trees and found the fringe. He sealed the great escape by rolling in the par putt — to the delight of the home fans.