Hennie Otto maintains five shot advantage - Madeira Islands Open 2008

South African Hennie Otto is on course for his maiden European Tour victory after racing five strokes clear at the end of the Madeira Islands Open third round on Saturday.

Otto fired his third five-under 67 of the week to return a 15-under total of 201, five ahead of Briton Alastair Forsyth (66).

Britain’s Gary Clark produced the best round of the week, a 64, to go third on 207.

The 31-year-old Otto, who retained his overnight lead when the interrupted second round finished on Saturday morning, showed his determination to stay ahead by birdying the first three holes of the third round.

After picking up another shot at the sixth, though, his effort stalled with a run of pars until he collected his fifth birdie on the 18th to complete a flawless card.

“It was a great start then I missed a few good chances and left two or three out there but I’m playing really solid golf,” Otto told reporters. “They have to catch me.”

Forsyth briefly moved within three strokes of Otto after an eagle two when he drove the 350-yard 14th green.

But the Scot kept losing momentum with bogeys until he too birdied the last to finish with a colourful card that also featured eight birdies.

Victory on Sunday would provide a huge lift to Otto’s career.

Although he has performed consistently well on his home circuit, the South African no longer has a European Tour card.

A win in Madeira would earn immediate exemption until the end of 2010 but Otto is trying not to get ahead of himself.

“It’s not in my mind,” he said. “I’m playing for top-10 and if the win comes along it will be a special bonus.”

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