The 20-year-old, from Lee-on-the-Solent has been the story of the tournament so far in Spain, sparkling in just his third Tour event since turning professional after the Walker Cup.

Hutsby, runner-up at the British Amateur this year, kept pace with leader Michael Jonson, from Sweden, for much of the day before bogeying the last to slip back to fourth.

However, at 14-under the former News Sports Awards winner is in prime position to go for what would be a momentous victory.

Joint second are defending champion Sergio Garcia, on his home course, and Martin Kaymer, who can return to the top of the Order of Merit by winning the event.

Hutsby currently has a world ranking of 1,374th - the position given to all those who have zero ranking points.

And in his two previous starts since fulfilling his lifetime ambition of playing Walker Cup golf, he missed the cut at the Dunhill Links and Madrid Masters.

But after receiving an invitation to the current tournament from tournament host Garcia, the former Lee-on-the-Solent Golf Club member is making the most of his chance.

'I'm enjoying every minute,' he said.

'It's not really sunk in yet that I'm playing on Tour. Hopefully I can sleep well tonight (Saturday) and then keep to my course management plan under pressure.'

If Hutsby was to win, he would instantly earn a two-year Tour exemption without the need to go to qualifying school in November.