'I just got 'golfed' back there', continued Tom, 'Its why we play the game. I was 6 maybe 7 yards right of where I aimed on my tee shot - if I am just that far offline for the rest of my life then I will be happy.

'I have a terrible lie in the bunker so I can ony just get it out onto the fairway. I am a yard away from having a four foot putt for a par, but it runs back all the way down the green. I hit two good putts.

Tom finished with a double bogey six but it all added up to a 69 after five birdies and tied 7th is the position he will take into tomorrow, with the chance of a huge prize to go towards retaining his card.

'I am getting it there slowly. Its good to have a bit of experience behind me. I enjoyed it out there!'

Paul Broadhurst produced a 70 to leave himself on 212 and in T17th place. It was a different story from how the Portuguese Champion played -

'I am just playing, plodding around. My irons just aren't good enough, getting me close so that I can hole some putts.

I have had nine birdies in 3 rounds. I have just done nothing. I have threatened then fallen backwards.

Paul had three birdies in his opening nine holes to turn in 34. He made another birdie at the 15th but three putted the last for his 70.

He is 9 shots back from the lead held by Paul Casey. In second place is Michael Campbell on -11 and one shot further back is Darren Clarke.