Quiros, a self-confessed James Bond addict, goes into Sunday's final round on sixteen under par and well placed to win what would be only his second European Tour title.

 

“I had my fair share of luck today,” admitted the 25 year-old Spaniard. “I worked hard last week and the scores are coming. But to be honest I was very lucky. I pulled my drive on nine and the ball ended up in a tree. It was a big tree but there was a stake beside it so I got a free drop. Some times the luck is with you, sometimes it isn’t.”

 

The winner of the 2008 Portugal Masters. Quiros cut a dapper figure at Doha Golf Club storming to the best round of the week with eight birdies and no dropped shots as overnight leader Oosthuizen carded a three under par 69.

 

Currently ranked 74 in the world, golf’s own ‘Q’ now has his own mission in mind – to land the famous Mother of Pearl trophy and establish himself in the world’s top 50.

 

“When you hit the ball well, that’s when you feel that you are a top 50 player,” he said. “I’ve been hitting the ball very well for a long time but the scores never arrived. Today was a great day all round – especially with my putting – as I want to show people that I am not just a big hitter.”

 

Oosthuizen had started the day well but his overnight three-shot lead soon evaporated thanks to a combination of Quiros’ stunning round and the South African’s own carelessness with a double bogey on the par four fifth.

 

But he bounced back to end the day with five birdies and gives himself a fighting chance going into Sunday’s final round. In joint third some four shots off the lead are Holland’s Martin Lafeber and former champion Henrik Stenson, who both carded rounds of 66 to end the round on twelve under par.

 

“In a way I think one behind is a good spot,” said Oosthuizen. “Three or four ahead, everyone really is thinking you have to win. One behind is actually a nice spot to put myself with 18 holes left. I'm happy with that and I'll take it tomorrow.”

 

While Quiros and Oosthuizen will go out as the final pairing on Sunday, they will be well aware that not far behind is a man who knows the course like the back of his hand and who closed out with a 65 last year to take second place.

 

“Louis is 16‑under and he's trying to shake us off, but definitely, I'm up there,” said Stenson, whose form over the Doha Golf Course could yet see him come through on the rails. “Anything can happen on the last day, and if I shoot a really good score, I might have an outside chance.”