Anders Hansen may have announced his retirement at the Portugal Masters in 2015, but 12 months on he fired a superb 62 to take a share of the lead with Mikko Korhonen into the final round of the tournament.
The 46 year old decided to hang up his clubs after 419 events and three wins, although the door was always open for a return as he is exempt due to his place in the top 40 of the career money list.
This week is his fifth event of 2016, so fulfilling the minimum requirement, but even if he were to win at Victoria Clube de Golfe the Dane would not consider making a full-time return – and securing victory would be no mean feat with a hungry chasing pack snapping at his heels.
Korhonen, currently 116th in the Race to Dubai, is fighting for his card and the Finn signed for a 64 to sit alongside Hansen on 18 under, one shot clear of three-time Major Championship winner Padraig Harrington.
Defending champion Andy Sullivan, fellow Englishman Chris Paisley and Scot Paul Lawrie occupy third place on 16 under, one shot clear of another Scot, Marc Warren.
Nine birdies in a flawless display in Vilamoura ensured Hansen’s second 62 in 1,499 rounds on Tour, and afterwards the Dane revealed he will not feel any pressure going into the final day.
Anders Hansen: “I didn’t really have a strategy. My aim was to go out and play, hit good shots and just try to enjoy it – and it turned out alright.
“When I decided to retire, I meant it but then the top 40 (career money list) came in and then they changed the rules so you only have to play five tournaments, so that’s why I’ve been doing this. I’m very happy with my life. I’m very happy where I am and there is no re-think about starting playing golf full-time again, I’m very happy the way it is.
“It probably helps a little bit because it doesn’t really matter to me either way. I’m not going to come back and play full-time, that decision has been made so I’m just enjoying playing and being out here.
“It’s nice to know that I can still do it, even though I’m not playing too much golf anymore. It’s a strange feeling to go out and shoot nine under in my position, but I’ll certainly take it!”
Mikko Korhonen: “I’m very much looking forward to the final round. It will be my first time in the last group on the final day, so I’m excited. I hope I can get a good night’s sleep tonight, then come out here tomorrow and play the same way again.
“I’m feeling confident and I’m playing well, so hopefully I can make some more birdies tomorrow and stay near the top of the leaderboard. It will be great fun to play with Anders and Padraig, they both have a lot of experience so it should be a great day.”
Padraig Harrington: “I’m happy with that. When I was five under through ten holes, if I’d pushed on and picked up a couple more, it would have taken a lot of people out of contention tomorrow. But now there’s plenty of guys now who feel they can shoot a low one out there and have a chance of winning so I’ve got to play well tomorrow and there’s a lot of work to be done.
“The course was playing a little different, it was a little softer because of the rain but not incredibly different. But I’ve got to say, I think the course played very well. We had lift and place but we didn’t really need it, because the course held up well.”
