Spain’s David Puig put together a 66 to establish himself as the nearest challenger to the 2018 Masters champion going into the final day.

Meanwhile, Norwegian three-time Ryder Cup player Viktor Hovland fired a 65 to propel himself into contention on nine under, along with England’s Andy Sullivan, who carded 71.

Hovland, who won the event in a play-off in 2022, posted seven birdies in a bogey-free round to equal the best round of the week and step up his bid for a third DP World Tour tournament success of his career.

Italians Andrea Pavan and Francesco Molinari are four off the pace in a tie for fifth place, with Spain’s Jorge Campillo and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen one further shot adrift.

First-round leader Molinari went on an early charge by picking up shots at each of the first three holes but back-to-back dropped shots at the 13th and 14th meant the 2018 Open champion had to settle for a 71.

Rory McIlroy’s hopes faded further as his 71 left him in equal 27th position on three under, while defending champion Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry sit on one under after rounds of 76 and 74 respectively.

Hatton holed for birdies at the third and 18th but six dropped shots in the space of 10 holes between the seventh and the 16th put paid to his ambitions of climbing the leaderboard on day three.

World number three Tommy Fleetwood’s disappointing week continued as he shot a 73 to lie outside the top 60 on two over.