Hoey takes share of Madeira lead

Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey shot a five-under-par 67 to move himself into a share of the lead after the third round of the Madeira Islands Open.

Hoey looked set to hold a one-shot lead of his own after racking up six birdies through his first 14 holes, but a bogey on the 16th saw him end his round on nine under for the tournament.

That left him level with England’s Jamie Elson, who carded a round of 68 which included three bogeys.

An eagle at the eighth helped Elson reach the turn at two under par, before he added three further birdies on the closing nine.

England’s Chris Gane and Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth were part of a three-way tie for second at seven under par, along with France’s Francois Delamontagne.

But it was a miserable day for second-round leader Simon Thornton. The Irishman led at seven under heading into today and birdied the third, but he completely crumbled as four bogeys and a double bogey at the 10th saw him five over on the day, two under overall.

Portugal’s Ricardo Santos had a far better day as he recorded a 66, the lowest score of the day, to move himself into sixth spot, four shots off Hoey and Elson.