After a birdie at the first and a 35-foot putt for eagle at the par-five second was followed by another birdie he went two clear of his Swedish playing partner.

Five successive birdies were rattled off at the start of Stenson’s third round but today he had had just one at the third to put him 17 under after four holes.

A shot back was Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, who birdied the second and third to stay in touch.

Behind him a three-strong group of Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez, South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel and Spanish world number six Sergio Garcia was at 14 under.

A gap had opened to the pack behind, led by Colin Montgomerie, whose birdie at the second was countered by a bogey two holes later to stay at 11 under.

The Scot was joined by Ian Poulter, who had an inspired run of five birdies in eight holes.

Montgomerie’s playing partner and pre-tournament favourite Vijay Singh also dropped a shot at the fourth but birdied the next two holes, although the Fijian remained nine behind DiMarco.

With the wind blowing a little stronger the course offered a little more of a challenge after the birdie-fest yesterday.

But DiMarco was looking good for his first win on either tour in four years.