(CNN) -- Thomas Aiken will take a two-shot lead heading into Sunday's final round of the Spanish Open at the El Prat Golf Club near Barcelona. 

The South African who led at the halfway stage shot an even-par round of 72 on a day that was inevitably overshadowed by the death of Seve Ballesteros, who lost his three-year battle with cancer in the early hours of Saturday morning. 

With flags at half-mast and players donning black ribbons, the European Tour marked the five-time major winner's passing with a minute's silence followed by a round of applause. 

Among the many players paying their respects to Ballesteros were his long-standing friends and Ryder Cup allies Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez. 

Colin Montgomerie, who played alongside Olazabal on Saturday said the Spaniard had been in tears for much of the third round. 

"He has lost an older brother almost," Montgomerie said, EuropeanTour.com reported. 

After his round, Olazabal reflected on the career of his great golfing companion. 

"I don't think there will ever be another player like him. There can be others that are very good, but none will have his charisma," Olazabal said, EuropeanTour.com reported. 

Spain's golfing maestro remembered 

Pablo Larrazabal is currently tied for second place on six-under par and the highest placed Spaniard in an event which Ballesteros won three times during his career. 

"Since I heard the news this morning I couldn't get it out of my head," Larrazabal said, EuropeanTour.com reported. 

"It has been a tough day. I was on the eighth during the minute of silence. It was the saddest minute of my career," he added. 
Who passed away?
When?
Was something else going on that day?
Who was leading?
Was the death sudden?
how long had he been ill?
How was he honored?
Were any of his friends there?
Whom?
When was there silence?
How long did it last?
Had Ballesteros ever won this event himself?
how many times?
Seve Ballesteros
the death of Seve Ballesteros
Saturday morning
who lost his three-year battle with cancer in the early hours of Saturday morning
the Spanish Open
the Spanish Open at the El Prat Golf Club near Barcelona. 

The South African who led at the halfway stage shot an even-par round of 72 on a day that was inevitably overshadowed by the death of Seve Ballesteros
Thomas Aiken
Thomas Aiken will take a two-shot lead
No
who lost his three-year battle with cancer
three years
who lost his three-year battle with cancer 
flags were at half-mast and players wore black ribbons
With flags at half-mast and players donning black ribbons
Yes
paying their respects to Ballesteros were his long-standing friends and Ryder Cup allies Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez
his long-standing friends and Ryder Cup allies Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez
at the European Tour, followed by a round of applause
the European Tour marked the five-time major winner's passing with a minute's silence followed by a round of applause
a minute
a minute's silence
yes
the five-time major winner's passing
5 times
five-time major winner's