European TourSix years after he thought his European Tour career was over, England's Stuart Little has the chance this weekend to put the icing on easily the best season of his golfing life.

The 38-year-old left-hander goes into today's third round of the Abama Canaries Open in Tenerife on seven under par after a four-under 67 and joint leader with South African Michael Kirk and eyeing a first victory 18 years after he made his Tour debut.

At 74th on the Order of Merit - 44 places higher than he has ever finished before - Little is the top-ranked player taking part in an event which was never going to attract any big names. They are all in San Francisco.

"I had a spell in the mid-90s when I walked away from the touring side," he said following a 67. "If someone had said in August 1999 that I would be playing the tour again in 2000 I would have laughed at them."

The late Mark McCormack, who headed the giant International Management Group, was instrumental in encouraging Little to try again and, after surviving last year's qualifying school with just a shot to spare, he has already earned almost €300,000 this season.

Now his goal - apart from lifting the title, of course - is to be among the top 60 money-winners who play the end-of-season Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

"Golfers improve at different ages, that's the wonderful thing about this game," he added.

"I can handle myself better in difficult situations and look at things differently to 10 years ago. A clear state of mind is a productive state of mind."

Kirk, 22nd on this season's Challenge Tour and needing one good finish to graduate to the main circuit, joined him on seven under par with a 66.

All three of the Irish competing survived the cut. Stephen Browne had one of his best rounds of the season and his 68 left him tied for 29th on level par. Michael Hoey was two shots farther back after a 74 and David Higgins just slipped in on three-over after a 68.