Howell charges into contention

David Howell, three days on from declaring himself only "50-50 at best" just to tee off, produced a dazzling burst and shared the lead in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

The Swindon golfer, doubtful before the start because of a shoulder injury, had five successive birdies early in his third round to join Ryder Cup team-mate Henrik Stenson out in front at four under par.

It had massive implications for the race to be the European Tour's number one this year. Howell, currently third, needs a top-two finish to have a chance of toppling Paul Casey.

Not that it was only his cup partner that Casey - six over par and outside the top 30 with five holes of his third round to play - had to worry about.

Padraig Harrington, who became his closest challenger by winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews two weeks ago, birdied the second and fourth and was in fourth place.

The Dubliner could pip Casey with a top-three finish tomorrow.

Swede Robert Karlsson is the other one still in with a chance. He, like Howell, resumed in 18th place and also birdied the second and fourth to leap into a tie for seventh on one under.

But Karlsson then had three successive bogeys from the fifth.

Casey found his best form of the week by going to the turn in 34, but was coming under increasing pressure.

Opening rounds of 76 and 72 as he struggled with food poisoning - he was not alone in that - left him down in 35th spot at halfway.