A superb finish of five birdies in his closing seven holes has kept Callum Shinkwin firmly in contention for a high finish at the Portugal Masters.

Following the Moor Park Golf Club professional’s fine opening seven-under-par round of 64 at Vilamoura which left him in a tie for second overnight, the 23-year-old had endured a frustrating day with three bogeys and only one birdie until he reached the 12th hole.

But a four on that par five kick-started a run which saw the Bushey-based player also birdie 14 and 15 and then the 17th and 18th for a three-under-par second round 68 to move him to ten-under for the tournament.

Shinkwin lies in a share of tenth place heading into the third round at Victoria Clube de Golfe, four shots behind joint leaders Marc Warren and defending champion Andy Sullivan, who hit a scintillating 10-under-par round of 61 today.

It is shaping up to be an exciting weekend for Moor Park with Shinkwin’s club-mate Matt Wallace taking a two-shot lead into tomorrow’s final round of the Alps Tour Grand Final.