Westwood edges closer to overdue win

Lee Westwood, without a win anywhere for more than two years, led the Portugal Masters with nine holes to play in Vilamoura – and if he stayed there he would go top of the European money list.

In third place overnight, Westwood birdied the first four holes at Oceanico Vilamoura and went two ahead when Francesco Molinari drove into the lake for the second day running at the seventh.

The Italian came straight back with a 35-foot birdie putt and made a good save on the next to remain 20 under.

Retief Goosen, leader by one at the start, bogeyed the first and seventh and was in a tie for third with Padraig Harrington and German Marcel Siem, but they were three behind.