Forsyth makes his move

Alistair Forsyth was beginning to make an impact in the third round of the Portuguese Open.

The Scot started the day on level-par 144 and just made the cut.

But he quickly made up ground with a superb start in ideal conditions at Le Meridien.

Forsyth surged up the leaderboard and was five-under with four holes to play.

He made a birdie at the third hole and followed that with a glorious eagle at the par-five fifth.

Forsyth maintained his momentum by picking up further shots at the seventh and 11th holes.

He came into the tournament in good form, finishing tied 28th in the Madeira Island Open.

Brian Davis also started well and moved to six-under after eight thanks to three birdies.

Austrian Markus Brier was also going along nicely. He chalked up five birdies in the first nine to go out in 30 and reach seven-under for the tournament.

The 37-year-old has struggled to find his form this season after finishing 102nd on the order of merit.

Phillip Archer played one of the shots of the day, holing his pitching wedge from 135 yards for an eagle at the 12th.