Jonzon, lying 158th on the European money list and in danger of losing his Tour card, kept tournament favourite Sergio Garcia in the shade with a six-under-par 65 to surge to a 16-under 197 total.

Tournament host and defending champion Garcia was a stroke behind after a 67, sharing second place with Germany’s Martin Kaymer (68). But the revelation of the day was British rookie professional Sam Hutsby, who is playing on an invitation from the Spaniard.

The 20-year-old Englishman, runner-up in the British Amateur championship this year, is only two shots off the pace in fourth place. Hutsby, in only his third event as a professional, shared the lead for much of the round, only dropping back after bogeying the last for a 66.

Garcia, who described his round as “hanging in on a tough day” is looking for his first win of the year on his home Mediterraneo course but the world No 10 said he would not mind if Hutsby beat him to the title. “I’d be very happy for him,” Garcia said. “He’s a really good looking player with a bright future.”

Jonzon felt he was finding the form, especially with regard to his putting, that earned him his only indiv-idual Tour title at the 1997 Portuguese Open. “There have been a lot of weeks when I’ve spent an extra 10 shots on the greens,” he said. “My position doesn’t show how well I’ve been playing. Tomorrow is a big day for me now.”

Kaymer, who will return to the top of the European Order of Merit if he wins, hit back from an early double-bogey to improve his chances of winning first time out after a nine-week lay-off with a foot injury.

“It was really tough walking on the back nine but I was really pleased with my comeback,” he said. “I’m looking forward to some rest before next week’s World Match Play.”

Hutsby, who turned professional after the Walker Cup in June, said: “I’m enjoying every minute. It’s not really sunk in yet that I’m playing on Tour. Hopefully I can sleep well tonight and then keep to my course management plan under pressure.

“I’ve seen how the top players excel around the greens. I’ve learned how it takes so much pressure off you.”

If he was to win, Hutsby would instantly earn a two-year exemption without the need to go to the qualifying school.

Of the Scots, Colin Montgomerie fired a 64 – his best round since a 63 at the Wales Open in June – to lie in joint 12th, alongside Andrew Coltart and six shots off the lead. However, Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, who has plunged down the world rankings to 254th, said: “It was only slightly encouraging.

“I still managed to turn a round of 60 into a 64. I’ve gone back to a short putter and am putting much better, but I need to get the rest of my game sorted out.

“This year has been a complete and utter ... one to write off. I need to go and get my game sorted out – my irons are not accurate enough. I want to stand in front of my team at the Ryder Cup opening ceremony having won a tournament. “

Montgomerie is 98th on the money list and has never finished that low since he turned professional in 1987.