Golf-Bourdy leads for a third day in Portugal

By Norman Dabell

CASCAIS, Portugal, April 5 (Reuters) - Gregory Bourdy of France kept his grip on the Portuguese Open title on Saturday, adding a three-under 68 to take a four-shot lead on 17-under 196 into Sunday's final round.

Bourdy, 25, who shared the course-record 63 to lead Thursday's first round, retained his momentum with a second-round 65 and then fought back from a nervous start in the third round.

Briton Alastair Forsyth, who won the Madeira Islands Open three weeks ago, is in second place after a 66.

After leading by two shots overnight, Bourdy extended his lead by virtue of an eagle, a 20-foot putt and birdie coming to the turn following an ugly start with a bogey on the fourth.

"It was a tough day because the wind was different and I didn't play my game," Bourdy told reporters.

"Then the eagle and birdie relaxed me, made me confident, and I played my game as I did on Thursday and Friday."

Bourdy said his victory in last year's penultimate event, the Majorca Classic, and a winning experience in South Africa should help his bid for the title.

"I was sharing the lead in Majorca so tomorrow's going to be a new experience. But I have won with a big lead. In the South African PGA Championship on the Sunshine Tour I led by five or six after three rounds and won by five."