Hoey moves into share of third-round lead with Elson at Madeira Open

Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey shot a 5-under-par 67 Saturday to move himself into a share of the lead after the third round of the European Tour’s 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 9 under for the tournament.

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

An eagle at the eighth helped Elson reach the turn at 2 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 7 under par, along with France's Francois Delamontagne.

But it was a miserable day for second-round leader Simon Thornton. The Irishman led at 7 under heading into the round and birdied the third. But he completely crumbled as four bogeys and a double bogey at the 10th saw him 5 over on the day, 2 under overall.

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