Garrido leads in Spain by three strokes

SEVILLA, Spain, May 3 (UPI) -- Despite an even-par 72 Saturday, Spain's Ignacio Garrido has a three-stroke lead after 54 holes of the Open de Espana golf tournament in Sevilla.

The Spaniard's third round was saved by a third straight birdie at the par-5 16th hole because he closed with a par at 17 and a three-putt bogey at the 18th and final hole.

"I did well enough to keep my lead and hopefully I'll do the same tomorrow," Garrido said. "The difficult thing is to maintain the lead."

His 54-hole total is 15-under 201.

If he wins the title Sunday, Garrido would be the first Spaniard to win the event since Sergio Garcia in 2002.

He has won once in six European Tour events after leading through 54 holes.

Countryman Miguel Angel Jimenez (67) is alone in second place at 12-under 204.

Paraguay's Marco Ruiz (69), England's Mark Foster (68) and Soren Hansen (67) of Denmark share third at 11-under 205.