Win on cards for Quiros

STEVE SLOANE ALVARO QUIROS moved a step closer to reclaiming his European Tour card as he opened up a five-shot lead at The Rocco Forte Open in Sicily.

The Spaniard – a six-time European Tour winner – has plummeted to a world ranking of 703 after once hitting the heights of 21.

But a third round of 70, on a day when only one player beat that mark at Verdura Golf Club, helped put Quiros (below) in prime position for win number seven at 16 under. South African Zander Lombard is his closest challenger after a 72, with Renato Paratore and Spain’s Pep Angles – who carded a brilliant 68 – at 10 under.

High winds yesterday halted the birdie-fest of the first two days and only seven players were able to break par.

Northern Irishman Michael Hoey struggled to a round of four over par, leaving him on nine under alongside English pair David Horsey and Lee Slattery.

Swede Johan Carlsson, Raphael Jacquelin and Jose-Filipe Lima are also six shots off the lead with Slattery the only one to register a below-par score on moving day.