Hanson sets the pace in Portugal

Sweden's Peter Hanson set the clubhouse target midway through the third round of the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura today.

Hanson carded an eight-under-par 64 to move to 16 under for the tournament on another day of low scoring at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course.

Four birdies in a row from the second helped Ryder Cup star Hanson to the turn in 31, and he picked up four more and a solitary bogey on the back nine to come home in 33.

Fellow Swede Christian Nilsson was also 16-under after 10 holes of his round, with Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Chile's Felipe Aguilar a shot back after 13 and 10 holes respectively.

South African Hennie Otto was among those on 14-under after producing a brilliant 63 several hours earlier.

Otto carded seven birdies and an eagle to complete his round two hours before overnight leader Simon Khan was due to tee off.

The 35-year-old made the cut with nothing to spare on five under after rounds of 72 and 67.

"I got it to six under yesterday with three holes to go and then I double-bogeyed the seventh," Otto said on www.europeantour.com.

"I had five under par in my head to be the number for the cut and I chipped and putted on the eighth for par but then managed to birdie nine to get in right on the mark.

"With the early time and fresh greens, I really wanted to have a go. I played well last week but made 18 pars in row in the first round.

"Yesterday I also played well but didn't make the putts, but I knew it was going to happen sooner rather than later for me."