Sky Bet place Ford in pole position for Burhill

Matt 18/1 for Surrey victory – shares favouritism with Paul Dwyer

The PGA EuroPro Tour moves to Burhill Golf Club in Surrey this week for The Pandora 2009 Open and Matthew Ford and Paul Dwyer are the favourites for the event with official bookmakers Sky Bet.

Order of Merit leader Steve Surry misses the event, joining a number of Tour players in Scotland on the Challenge Tour including number two in the money list Scott Jamieson – so the chasing pack have the chance to take top spot when the tournament kicks off on Thursday (July 30).

Ford (Marriott Tudor Park) and Dwyer (Clitheroe) are the joint 18/1 favourites for the event, with Daniel Gaunt (Burhill GC), Elliot Saltman (Aegon) and Tom Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd) behind the favourites at 20/1.

“With money list leader Steve Surry playing well on the Challenge Tour now, it gives the pack a chance to jump to the head of affairs with a victory in Surrey this week,” said Sky Bet’s John Rhodes. “The ever consistent Dwyer, with four top five finishes on the EuroPro this year, and in-form Ford head the betting at 18-1, with a host of challengers including Daniel Brooks (28/1 – Mill Hill) and recent winner Paul Maddy (25/1 – Gog Magog) looking for the victory that will take them to number one standing on the Order of Merit and a step nearer to a Challenge Tour card.”

Live scoring from The Pandora 2009 Open at Burhill Golf Club in Surrey will be in operation at www.europrotour.com from the start of play on Thursday.

Full Northern Order of Merit Points Table

The Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit points table is shown below following the Crosby Challenge Plate at West Lancs.

After 14 events:
Mark Young, Longridge = 380
Tommy Fleetwood ,Formby Hall = 360
John Carroll, Huyton & Prescot = 350
Michael Bedford, Prestbury = 300
Ollie Smith, Ashton-on-Mersey = 295
Carl Thompson, Manchester = 270
Zac Harrison, Preston = 250
Jack Brooks, Pleasington = 250
Charles Durnian, Fairhaven = 175
James Robinson, S&A = 165
Richie Blundell, Hillside = 160
Henry Tomlinson, Royal Lytham = 155
James Wilson, Formby = 150
Charles Ford, Kirby Muxloe = 150
Thomas Winn, Morecambe = 150
Jay McGarvey, Whitefield = 150
Ian Kenwright, Haydock Park = 150
David Hurd, Leasowe = 150
Craig Fort, Nelson = 150
David Corsby, Royal Lytham = 150
Michael Hearn, Chorley = 145
Oliver Pantoja, Ashton-on-Mersey = 125
Chris Kneen, Castletown = 120
Adam Wills, Sandiway = 115
Marcus Mohr, Hawarden = 100
Bob Bardsley, Denton = 100
David Holt, Shaw Hill = 100
Gareth Hastie, Dunscar = 95
Andrew Palmer, Chorley = 95
Ken Hudson, Hart Common = 85
Roger Smithies, Manchester = 75
Daniel Osbaldeston, Prestbury = 75
Michael Hunt, Pleasington = 75
Jon Greenough, West Lancs = 75
Sean Nicholls, St Annes Old Links = 65
Mark Rabone, S&A = 60
Andrew Addison, Ashton-in-Makerfield = 60
David Simpson, Penrith = 60
Colin Brown, Bromborough = 60
Alex Hogen, Ringway = 60
Scott Gowland, Blackpool North Shore = 60
M O'Hara, Formby = 60
Paul McFerran, Childwall = 55
Chris Harrison, Sandiway = 55
Paul Kinnear, Formby Hall = 55
Jonathan Corke, Rowany = 50
Will Jones, Oswestry = 50
David Marshall, The Worcestshire = 50
Stephen Jopson, Carlisle = 50
Nick Jackson, Chorley = 50
Martin Thomas, Royal Liverpool = 50
Craig Connell, Ashton & Lea = 50
Mark Geddes, Prenton = 50
David Hannis, Blackpool North Shore = 50
Tom Irwin, Croham Hurst = 50
Richard Pickard, Mere = 45
Mark Millhouse, Bolton = 45
Mike Kelly, Ashton-under-Lyne = 45
Ashley Sage, Sandiway = 45
Kyle Hughes, Formby Hall = 45
Sam Roberts, Llanymynech = 45
Tony Holt, Wilpshire = 45
Mikiel Tchobanian, Blackpool North Shore = 45
David Hughes, West Lancs = 45
Kevin Reilly, S&A = 40
Richard Kilshaw, Hillside = 40
Declan Dixon, Fairhaven = 40
Graham Jackson, Manchester = 40
Luke Hignall, Prenton = 40
Gareth Bradley, Bramhall = 40
Ian Hardman, Accrington = 40
Daniel Sefton, Lancaster = 40
Josh Evans, Mere = 40
Andy McLoughney, Blackpool North Shore = 40
Barry Bellfield, Eaton = 40
David Smethurst, Formby = 35
David Peel, Stockport = 30
Paul Lowey, Rowany = 30
Kristian Taylor, Formby = 30
Simon Coumbe, Pontefract = 30
Michael Downs, San Roque = 30
Reece Cranfield, Haigh Hall = 30
Mike Howarth, Penwortham = 30
Chris Cuthbert, Prestwich = 30
Brian McCann, Morecambe = 30
Kyle Evans, Prenton = 30
Chris Oliphant, Oliva Nova = 30
Lee Collinson, Blackpool Park = 30
Scott Smallman, Newcastle-under-Lyne = 30
Jonathan Harrison, S&A = 25
Anthony Bolton, Formby = 25
Ewan Patterson, St Annes Old Links = 25
Chris Rabbich, R&A = 25
Chris Bracewell, Ashton & Lea = 25
Curtis Dean, St Annes Old Links = 25
Lee Chenery, Lancaster = 25
Drew Molloy, Hillside = 20
Tim Cooper, Marriott Worsley Park = 20
Matthew Galley, Morecambe = 20
Tom Stewart, St Annes Old Links = 20
Steve Benton, South Staffs = 20
Daryl Callister, Mount Murray = 20
Sean Towndrow, S&A = 20
Adam Smith, Accrington = 20
Martin Walsh, Styal = 15
Anthony Stirling, Formby = 15
Anthony Holden, Preston = 15
Gareth Clark, Manchester = 15
Paul Jones, Royal Birkdale = 15
Jamie Guy, Bromborough = 15
Paul Biggins, Accrington = 15
Henry Featherstone, Ringway = 15
Dean Moseley, Blackpool North Shore = 15
Mark Rogers, Hazel Grove = 10
Kevin Kean, Ashton-on-Mersey = 10
Gavin Nesbit, Boldon = 10
Paul Armstrong, Penwortham = 10
Sean Blinkhorn, Leigh = 10
Paul Knight, Eastham Lodge = 10
Robert Fawcett, Duckinfield = 10
Andrew Davis, Manchester = 10
David Simpson, Lytham Green Drive = 10
Michael Bennett, Bury = 10

Win Bunker Mentality Clothing

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Carroll’s on song again

JOHN Carroll won the Crosby Challenge Plate for the third year in a row to lift himself into third spot in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit.

The former Lancashire champion from Huyton & Prescot fired rounds of 75 and 74 for a five-over-par aggregate in testing conditions.

He chalked up three double bogeys, two in the morning, but five birdies limited the damage as he prevailed by two shots from Hillside’s Richie Blundell who denied the host club’s Jon Greenough on countback.

Carroll, beaten by Tommy Fleetwood in the Amateur Championship quarter-finals at Formby in June, is 10 points adrift of the Formby Hall Walker Cup hope who in turn is 20 behind county team-mate Mark Young, from Longridge, who is chasing his third successive merit title.

DETAILS: 149 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) 75 74; 152 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 78 74, Jon Greenough (West Lancs) 76 76; 153 Mark O’Hara (Formby) 78 75; 154 Tom Irwin (Croham Hurst) 82 72, David Hughes (West Lancs) 77 77; 155 Barry Bellfield (Eaton) 80 75, Scott Smallman (Newcastle-under-Lyne) 79 76, Olllie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey) 79 76, Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 77 78, Paul Kinnear (Formby Hall) 79 80; 156 Michael Bennett (Bury) 79 77.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 380pts Mark Young (Longridge); 360 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall); 350 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 300 Mike Bedford (Prestbury); 295 Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey), 270 Carl Thompson (Manchester); 250 Zac Harrison (Preston), Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 165 James Robinson (S&A); 175 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven); 160 Ritchie Blundell (Hillside).

Burstwick Country Golf Club Ladies Team Open

Burstwick Country Golf will play host to a Ladies Team Open on Friday 11th September.

The competition is open to teams of four with an entry-fee of £80 per team. The format is an Am-Am and has an individual handicap limit of 34.

A bacon butty is provided on arrival with a buffet included after your round making this an excellent value for money competition.

The event is a shotgun start at 10am and an entry form can be found here.

Burstwick is located in the East Riding of Yorkshire - set in 115 acres of contoured, tranquil countryside. The club was created in August 2004, designed by experienced architect Jonathan Gaunt, and has a bright future ahead with much prosperity.

It is a challenging course with winding fairways, demanding doglegs and well-guarded greens.

Cor! David has upper hand

WEST of Ireland champion David Corsby won the De Frece Trophy at Blackpool North Shore, which figured in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit for the first time, with rounds of 65 and 68 for a nine-under-par total.

The Lancashire player famously beat Shane Lowry at County Sligo earlier in the year, a few weeks before the Esker Hills player won the Irish Open then turned professional.

And he turned on another impressive performance as he prevailed by two shots from Fairhaven’s Charles Durnian, son of PGA European Seniors’ Tour stalwart Denis.

Lancashire player Corsby eagled two of the three par five holes and birdied the other in his opening round as he led by a shot from Royal Lytham & St Annes clubmate Henry Tomlinson.

Two birdies in the last four holes in the second round ensured victory as Tomlinson finished third on countback.

DETAILS: 133 David Corsby (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 65 68; 135 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven) 69 66, Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 66 69; 138 Scott Gowland (Blackpool North Shore) 70 68, David Hannis (Blackpool North Shore) 68 70; 140 Mikiel Tchobanian (Blackpool North Shore) 70 70, Andrew McLoughney (Blackpool North Shore) 69 71; 141 Lee Collinson (Blackpool Park) 69 72, Lee Chenery (Lancaster) 68 73; 144 Andrew Palmer (Chorley) 71 73, Dean Moseley (Blackpool North Shore) 71 73, David Simpson (Lytham Green Drive) 71 73.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 380pts Mark Young (Longridge); 360 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall), Mike Bedford (Prestbury), 270 Carl Thompson (Manchester); Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey); 250 Zac Harrison (Preston), Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 200 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot), 165 James Robinson (S&A); 175 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven); 150 James Wilson (Formby), Charles Ford (Kirby Muxloe), Thomas Winn (Morecambe), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield), Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park), David Hurd (Leasowe), Craig Fort (Nelson), David Corsby (Royal Lytham & St Annes).

This one’s for my dad, says Manchester Open champ Chris

CHRIS Hanson strolled to a six shot victory in the Spirotech Manchester Open at Marriott Worsley Park then dedicated it to his 67-year-old dad John who has spent the last nine days in a Huddersfield hospital.

“I’ve won this for him,” he said after his second and final round 64 took him to an impressive 11-under-par total.

“He’s been suffering from Parkinson’s disease and recently had a turn for the worse,” he explained.

“I saw him before I went out and he told me to enjoy myself no matter how I played. I just hope this will give him a lift.”

Hanson, 23, a graduate of Myerscough College and attached to Huddersfield club Crosland Heath, birdied the final three holes to add to the four he picked up earlier as he left the rest of the field trailing in his wake.

And his performance more than compensated for his last appearance at Worsley two years ago when he missed the cut in a PGA Challenge Tour event.

This was his second win as a professional, having prevailed at Bovey Castle in 2006 on the EuroPro Tour but he fluffed a chance to repeat his success in the opening event of the season when he forfeited a five-shot lead going into the final round at Collingtree Park in Northants.

“I was one ahead on the last hole but finished with a nine after going out of bounds,” he rued. “But I learned from the mistake.”

And there was no danger that happening on this occasion after a dazzling display of shot making which relegated overnight leader Paul Eales, from Garstang, to a share of second place with Yorkshire duo Laurie Turner, from Scalm Park, and Dore & Totley-attached Neil Cheetham who is taking a break for playing in South Africa.

Hanson, who is getting married at the end of the year, is hoping it will be third time lucky when he attends the European Tour School in the autumn.

“I’m still on a learning curve but this victory will give me more experience in my attempt to gain my card,” he said and he attributed his success to Drew Wallace, a sports psychologist at Myerscough, and more recently Manchester mind coach Karl Morris, along with his tutor John Eyre, the pro at Woodsome Hall.

“They’ve all helped with my routines,” he added.

LEADING FINAL SCORES: 131 Chris Hanson (Crosland Heath) 67 64; 137 Laurie Turner (Scalm Park) 69 68, Neil Cheetham (Dore & Tortley) 68 69, Paul Eales (Garstang) 66 71; 138 Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool) 69 69, David Smith (Swinton Park) 68 70; 139 Mark Bradley (Chorley) 72 67, Steve Parry (unatt) 71 68, Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey) 60 69, James Barr (Chilli Dip Academy) 70 69, David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 68 71, David Clark (Morpeth) 67 72, Adrian Ambler (Walton Golf Centre) 67 72.

Revidge Cannon Entry-Form 2009

An entry-form for the 2009 Revidge Cannon golf competition can now be found on the Golf Empire website.

The Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit event takes place on the 30th August at Blackburn Golf Club and costs £24 to enter. Lunch is included and an entry-form can be found here.

For a full list of Order of Merit events please vist the Northern Order of Merit page on the Golf Empire website.

Belsham bids for Manx double

MARK Belsham is aiming to become the first player to win the Manx Classic two years in a row when the action starts at Mount Murray next Thursday (July 30).

The teaching professional at Kent resort Stoneless claimed the title last summer at Castletown after the final round was abandoned when high winds and torrential rain rendered the course unplayable.

The three round pro-am, the jewel in the PGA North Region crown for nearly 30 years, will also feature past winners Paul Eales who prevailed in 2007, fellow Lancastrian David Shacklady and Yorkshire’s Neil Cheetham who is taking break from playing the South African Tour.

Island interest will be provided by Allyn Laing, Andrew Patterson and former Castletown pro Michael Brooks.

In addition to PokerStars, island businesses Dougherty Quinn, Cubbin and Bregazzi, Luminaires, RBS Coutts and Escape Properties are also supporting the event.

The presentation dinner on Saturday will be preceded by the David Edwards Trick Show.

Open Events at Walton Hall Golf Club

We are delighted to inform you about two fabulous open events to be played at Walton Hall Golf Club. However, to secure a place in either event you will need to be quick as places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis!

The first event is a team competition and takes place on Friday 31st July. Entry is extremely good value at £100 per team of four considering this also includes a meal.

The tournament is also sponsored by Carlsberg UK and offers some great prizes as well as nearest-the-pins, longest drives, an optional ball sweep and a raffle.

The format is an Am-Am Stableford with the best two scores to count on each hole. Teams can be any combination with handicap limits of 24 for men and 36 for ladies. An entry-form can be found here.

The second event is The Warrington Open Championship and will be staged on Sunday 2nd August.

This tournament is an individual strokeplay event for gentlemen golfers with a handicap of 28 or less with tee times available from 8am to 1pm.

The cost is £20 for this prestigious competition and an entry-form can be found here.


Walton Hall is situated in the old Walton Hall estate, and generally regarded as the premier municipal course in the north of England.

It began with nine holes in 1971 but was extended and redesigned six years later by Dave Thomas and Peter Allis. It is now a championship standard 6,800 yards with three par 3's over 200 yards long.

The course is located in a picturesque parkland setting, with fine views from the 13th tee, and boasts many mature trees and a lot of water which comes in to play on seven of the holes.

Open Competitions at Whitby Golf Club

A number of open golf competitions are still to be played at Whitby Golf Club later this year.

One tournament is a Senior Pairs Open that will be held on the 28th August with an entry-fee of £20 per pair.

It is a betterball stableford event and is open to men aged 55 or over with a maximum handicap of 24. An entry form can be found here.

Another competition is the Mixed Pairs Open that will take place on the 12th September and costs just £18 per couple to enter.

This is also a betterball stableford format with handicap limits of 20 for gentlemen and 30 for ladies. All competitors must be over the age of 18. An entry form can be found here.

Whitby is situated on the western side of the town on the road to the pretty coastal village of Sandsend and has a commanding position on the edge of the cliffs.

There are wonderful views along the coast, north-westward over the picturesque bay of Sandsend to Kettleness, south-eastward over the harbour with the Abbey Ruins set in relief and inland over the rolling panorama of the North Yorks Moors.

Wild hitters can be severely punished, as some of the hazards are quite unusual. The most striking is the wild cleft in the Cliffs known as "Upgang Ravine" which has to be driven when playing the 6th and 18th holes.

The degree of driving difficulty on many an occasion is decided by the prevailing wind which may come from either the North Sea or the moors.

A full list of other events to be held at Whitby Golf Club can be found here.

Seniors Open at Burnham Beeches Golf Club

A Seniors Individual Open will take place at Burnham Beeches Golf Club on Monday 24th August.

The competition is an 18-hole individual stableford for gentlemen golfers aged 55 and over. The cost of entry is £45 and includes coffee & bacon rolls on arrival plus lunch.

There are prizes for the top three places as well as the best gross score and a special over 70's award.

An entry form can be found here.

Founded in 1891, Burnham Beeches provides a challenging course in a beautiful setting on the edge of the historic Burnham Beeches.

The club is situated in the Thames Valley in South Buckinghamshire, with the old town of Beaconsfield to the north, Burnham village to the south and Maidenhead to the west.

The course measures 6,458 yards, has a Par 70 (SSS 71) and offers a true and challenging test of golf.

Senior Pairs Open Golf Competition at Birstall Golf Club

A Senior Pairs Open is to be played at Birstall Golf Club next month and there are still some remaining places.

The event takes place on Wednesday 19th August and offers excellent value for money at just £30 per pair.

The format of the competition is a 4-Ball Betterball Stableford and is open to gentlemen aged 55 or over with a maximum handicap of 24.

An entry-form can be found here.

Birstall is one of the most established courses in Leicestershire with a very strong heritage and proud traditions. The course is situated to the north of Leicester and enjoys magnificent views over the city, the hills of Charnwood forest, and to the east towards Rutland.

The course is 6,239 yards long with a par and standard scratch score of 71 and is a delight to play, providing a fair and exciting challenge to the golfer. There are superb greens and fairways with some very challenging tree-lined holes on a layout which is fairly easy to walk.

The course and the facilities of the clubhouse ensure that visitors can enjoy a pleasant but challenging round and a friendly, sociable conclusion to their visit.

Royton Sword Postponed

The Royton Sword, a Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit event, was postponed because of a waterlogged course.

Maddy digs in for maiden europro tour victory

Paul wins by two strokes after Dwyer’s ace and Ford’s 63 run him close!

Paul Maddy sealed his first win as a professional in the Motocaddy Masters at The Players Club in Bristol by two strokes at ten under – but only after fighting off fearsome pressure from Matthew Ford and Paul Dwyer.

Maddy (Gog Magog) began the day at eight under par having not dropped a shot in the opening two rounds, but slipped back to six under after three bogeys and a birdie in his opening four holes. Birdies at the fifth and tenth holes moved Maddy back to his starting position at the top of his back nine but he was under incredible pressure in the closing holes from two of the chasing pack.

Dwyer (Clitheroe) was two under ahead of the final round and moved to six under by the turn with four birdies – but it was a birdie at 15 followed by a hole-in-one at the 16th that propelled him into contention at eight under. Ford (Marriott Tudor Park) was way off the pace at one under ahead of the final round and edged to two under at the turn. But a phenomenal back nine with six birdies saw him card a 63 and into a share of the lead with Dwyer and Maddy at eight under.

The overnight leader was not to be denied though. A birdie at 15 moved him into the lead at nine under and he made it a two-shot victory with another birdie at 17 – all the more sweeter as his parents had driven over three hours to come and caddie for him in his first professional victory and the £10,000 prize money.

“I was a bit nervous and a couple of bad swings got me off to a bad start,” said the 28 year-old. “I knew beforehand that a score around par would be good enough.”

What Maddy didn’t reckon on was the incredible rounds from Messrs Ford and Dwyer – although he was aware of their charge. “I was obviously concentrating on my own round but yes, I had an eye on the scoreboards,” said the Cambridge man. “I knew that those guys had fired down the back nine, but I had an advantage with holes left and I was able to get a couple of birdies to finish the job.”

“I’ve been playing well but without the results so now I’ve got that win under my belt I can kick on for the rest of the Tour,” said Maddy, who leaps into fourth spot in the Order of Merit.

Ford and Dwyer shared second spot, while fourth place belonged to Maddy’s playing partner Paul O’Hanlon (Curragh) who recorded his third round of 68 of the tournament to finish on six under. Barrie Trainor (South County) equalled Dwyer’s round of 64 to finish three under for the tournament along with Lorne Kelly (Pro Dream USA) and Tim Rice (Limerick) who both recorded 67s in their final rounds, and Ben Jones (Crownbrush.co.uk) and Adam Frayne (St. Mellion), both level for the day.

The next event on the PGA EuroPro Tour is the Pandora 2009 Open at Burhill Golf Club in Surrey, beginning on July 30.

FINAL SCORES FROM THE MOTOCADDY MASTERS
1 Paul Maddy 64, 68, 68 -10 200 £10,000
=2 Matthew Ford 69, 70, 63 -8 202 £3,750
=2 Paul Dwyer 70, 68, 64 -8 202 £3,750
4 Paul O’Hanlon 68, 68, 68 204 £1,700
=5 Barrie Trainor 73, 70, 64 207 £1,070
=5 Lorne Kelly 74, 66, 67 207 £1,070
=5 Tim Rice 71, 69, 67 207 £1,070
=5 Adam Frayne 70, 67, 70 207 £1,070
=5 Ben Jones 70, 67, 70 207 £1,070
10 Graeme Clark 71, 68, 69 208 £800

Maddy extends Motocaddy Masters lead

Paul moves four shots clear ahead of the final round at The Players Club

Paul Maddy holds a four shot lead at eight under par going into the final round of the Motocaddy Masters at The Players Club in Bristol – strengthened his grip on a possible first PGA EuroPro Tour title.

The Gog Magog man was three shots clear going into Wednesday’s second round after a six under 64 in the opening round and followed that up with a two under par 68. The overnight final round leader will be confident of closing the deal as he is yet to drop a shot in the tournament.

Maddy will tee-off in the last pairing with Paul O’Hanlon after the Curragh player carded his second 68 of the tournament to hold sole possession of second place at four under.

Martin Sell (Golf Analysis Ltd) began the day two over but turned his tournament on its head with a cracking round of 65. Opening with a birdie, Sell was three under for the day at the turn and made that four under with his fourth birdie of the round at the tenth. A bogey at the 11th was the only blemish on his round and further birdies at 14 and 15 sees him move to three under ahead of the final round, in a three-way tie for third spot.

Ben Jones (Crownbush.co.uk) joins Sell at three under after a fine late charge. Starting on level par at the tenth, he moved to one under after his first hole but was back to level at the turn with a bogey at 16. A birdie at the second saw him back to one under but it’s the birdies at the seventh and ninth – his last – that put him in contention on the final day. The final member of the trio is Adam Frayne (St Mellion) who also began level on the back nine – he moved to four under after 15 holes starting on the back nine before a bogey at seven saw him shoot 67.

Paul Dwyer (Clitheroe) is alone in sixth spot at two under – level for the tournament until birdies at the 13th and 15th, a bogey at 16 and another birdie at the last resulted in a 68.

It was a bad day at the office for John Gallagher (Swanston Golf) who started the day in second place at three under but struck 80 to finish seven over for the tournament. Cortland Lowe and Jamie Elson were also three under before the start of play the former is now two over after a 75 while the latter is level par after a 73.

Fifty-three players made the cut at five over for Thursday’s final round – to follow the conclusion of the Motocaddy Masters live, visit www.europrotour.com and click on the Score Updates link.

SURRY 9/4 TO BE TOP EUROPRO PLAYER AT THE OPEN

Order of Merit leader Steve Surry tees off in the last three-ball of first round of The Open Championship at Turnberry on Thursday afternoon, and is the 9/4 favourite to be the top PGA EuroPro Tour in action with our official bookmakers Sky Bet.

Five EuroPro regulars are taking on the biggest names in golf this coming weekend, with Tom Haylock and Elliot Saltman 3/1, Daniel Gaunt 7/2 and Jeremy Kavanagh 8/1.

To bet on this market click here

Maddy motors into Players Club lead

Paul leads the Motocaddy Masters by three shots at six under

Paul Maddy leads the Motocaddy Masters at The Players Club in Bristol by three shots with a six under round of 64 on the opening day.

Maddy (Gog Magog) followed a solid start with three birdies from the fourth to go out at three under and made sure he had a clear advantage going into the second round with three further birdies at 11, 12 and 17 in his 64.

Jamie Elson (Forum Financial Associates) John Gallagher (Swanston Golf) and Cortland Lowe are three strokes behind Maddy after both carding rounds of 67. Elson bogeyed the opening hole but followed that with four birdies in his next five holes to go out at three under. He extended that to four under with a fifth birdie at the 11th but dropped shots at 13 and 15 dropped him back to two under before a sixth birdie of the day at 16th. Gallagher raced to three under after the first five holes and was four under through 11 before back-to-back bogeys at 14 and 15 set him back – but the Scotsman made one of those dropped shots back at the 17th for a 67. Lowe – who missed the cut at the US Open by two strokes – recorded five birdies in his three under opening round, with bogeys at eight and 11 spoiling his day.

Llewellyn Matthews (Southerndown GC) started on the back nine and moved to two under at the turn thanks to three birdies from the 14th. Unfortunately for Matthews he picked up bogeys at two and four to move to level par with five holes to play but birdies at the fifth and ninth saw him shoot at two under round of 68. Joining Matthews four shots off the lead is Paul O’Hanlon (Curragh) who picked up two birdies on the back nine to shoot 68.

Matthew Ford (Marriott Tudor Park) will rue his last four holes as he sits five strokes off the lead at one under. Ford began on the back nine and raced to four under where he remained after 14 holes – but he bogeyed six, eight and nine to record a disappointing 69 from his strong position. Ford is joined by Chris Hiscock (Kingsdown GC), Chris Benians, Phil Worthington (Donnington Grove) and Daniel Belch (Golf Analysis Ltd).

To view the full first round Leaderboard from the Motocaddy Masters, visit www.europrotour.com and click on the Score Updates link on the homepage.

Free £10 Bet on The Open Golf Championship

Golf Empire have teamed up with SkyBet to give our visitors a free £10 bet on The Open Golf Championship held at Turnberry this week.

Simply click on the image below, register a new account with SkyBet, place a single or each-way sports bet and your free bet up to £10 will be credited straight away.

Jack the lad at Pleasington

JACK Brooks followed up his second place in the Prestbury Open two days earlier by winning the Pleasington Antlers to move seventh in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit after 12 events.

The 2007 Lancashire Boys’ champion made the most of home advantage with rounds of 69 and 72 for a one-under-par aggregate and a two stroke victory over Shaw Hill’s Tony Holt.

Brooks posted a flawless morning card revealing birdies at the 14th and 17th and picked up three more shots in the afternoon but gave back four. Fifth placed Mark Young, from Longridge, held on to top spot in the merit he is attempting to win for a record three years in a row but his Lancashire team-mate Tommy Fleetwood, reduced his lead to 20 points by finishing fourth on countback.

DETAILS: 141 Jack Brooks (Pleasington) 68 73; 143 David Holt (Shaw Hill) 72 71; 144 Michael Hunt (Pleasington) 73 71; 145 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall) 77 68, Mark Young (Longridge) 73 72; 146 Michael Hearn (Chorley) 75 71, Chris Harrison (Sandiway) 73 73, James Oliphant (Oliva Nova) 73 73; 148 Ken Hudson (Hart Common) 77 71, Sean Nicholls (St Annes Old Links) 76 72; 149 Henry Featherstone (Ringway) 72 77; 151 Andrew Davis (Manchester) 74 77.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 380pts Mark Young (Longridge); 360 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall), Mike Bedford (Prestbury), 270 Carl Thompson (Manchester); Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey); 250 Zac Harrison (Preston), Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 200 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot), 165 James Robinson (S&A); 150 James Wilson (Formby), Charles Ford (Kirby Muxloe), Thomas Winn (Morecambe), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield), Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park), David Hurd (Leasowe), Craig Fort (Nelson); 135 Michael Hearn (Chorley).

Jamieson 16/1 favourite for Motocaddy Masters

Tour heads to The Player’s Club in Bristol this week!

The Motocaddy Masters is the sixth event of the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour, taking place at The Players Club in Bristol from Tuesday July 14.

The event clashes with The Open Championship at Turnberry and with Order of Merit leader Steve Surry (Cumberwell Park), fourth placed Tom Haylock (Bright Green Golf Management) and sixth spot holder Elliot Saltman (Aegon) all in action in Scotland, Scott Jamieson is Sky Bet’s 16/1 favourite for the tournament.

“Despite the likes of Surry, Saltman and Haylock all qualifying for The Open this week, we still have a strong field assembled,” said Sky Bet’s John Rhodes. “It looks a good time for Scott Jamieson to bag his second victory of the season – he is the 16/1 favourite to do so. The South African trio of Michiel Bothma, Louis Moolman and Louis De Jager also make the trip over this week and look to hold strong claims to the title.”

Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill) is second favourite at 22/1 with Jack Doherty (North Gailes) third favourite at 25/1. Dale Marmion won at The Players Club twelve months ago on his way to finishing second on the 2008 Order of Merit and he is 50/1 to win on his return to the Tour. To view Sky Bet’s full market, click here: http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvClass&id=34&aff=4527&EPT_Website


The Motocaddy Masters begins early on Tuesday morning, with live scoring for the three days available at www.europrotour.com via the Score Updates link on the homepage.

Bedford stays on a roll

CHESHIRE County champion Mike Bedford continued in his rich vein of form when he won the Prestbury Open over his home course.

It was his second victory in eight days in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit following his success in the Bromborough Bowl.

And it hoisted him into joint second place in the table with Formby Hall international Tommy Fleetwood who have moved to within 30 points of Mark Young, the title holder from Longridge.

Bedford fired rounds of 69 and 68, five-under-par all told, as he won by four strokes from Pleasington’s former Lancashire Boys’ champion Jack Brooks. Daniel Osbaldeston, another Prestbury member, was third a shot further back.

DETAILS: 137 Mike Bedford (Prestbury) 69 68; 141 Jack Brooks (Pleasington) 68 73; 142 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury) 70 72; 143 Alex Hogben (Ringway) 71 72; 145 Zac Harrison (Preston) 74 71, Chris Kneen (Castletown) 72 73; 146 Josh Evans (Mere) 74 72, Daniel Sefton (Lancaster) 74 72, Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey) 74 72; David Peel (Stockport) 73 73; Martin Walsh (Styal) 72 74, Mark Rogers (Hazel Grove) 72 74.

ORDER OF MERIT: 330pts Mark Young (Longridge); 300 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall), Mike Bedford (Prestbury), 270 Carl Thompson (Manchester); Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey); 250 Zac Harrison (Preston); 200 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot), 165 James Robinson (S&A); 150 James Wilson (Formby), Charles Ford (Kirby Muxloe), Thomas Winn (Morecambe), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield), Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park), David Hurd (Leasowe), Craig Fort (Nelson); 125 Oliver Pantoja (Ashton-on-Mersey).

Get your own Virtual Caddy

It goes without saying that no self respecting Tour professional with an eye on winning a golf tournament would tee off without first taking a walk around the golf course, or playing a practice round.

For the rest of us though, playing an Open Golf Competition on a course we have never played before means grabbing a yardage booklet from the pro shop, often just minutes before we tee off!

That is why the team at Virtual Caddy have created audio visual course guides that you can use in advance of your game, to help visualise the golf course for the first time.

At the heart of each guide, are the tips and local knowledge as provided by the person that knows the golf course best... the local Head Professional. These tips are narrated and then brought to life with low level aerial photographs and TV style animations to show you the line, hazards and the like. Below is a example screenshot from Turnberry's Ailsa course.

The quality and usefulness of the Virtual Caddy guides has in recent years resulted in the EGU and the English Elite Squad, opting to use Virtual Caddy as part of their preparations for an international match, which they subsequently won.

The best golf courses in the UK have agreed to the Virtual Caddy treatment, and you can now prepare for your game, by registering for FREE at http://www.virtualcaddy.com/

Next week's Open Championship venue, Turnberry, is currently the highest profile course available on-line, but other Top 100 courses also feature, such as Wentworth, Gleneagles, Royal Lytham, The K Club, Hunstanton, Carnoustie, Walton Heath, Tenby, Notts (Hollinwell), Kingsbarns, and Cruden Bay to name just a few.

So take a look and enjoy... but don’t tell your golfing buddies! (if you know what I mean)

Smith aims to home in on Spirotech Manchester Open

DAVID Smith defends his Manchester Open title at Marriott Worsley Park on July 22-23 – after a two-year wait.

The event was cancelled last season after a week of incessant rain waterlogged the course along with many others in the area.

Smith, assistant at nearby Swinton Park, will peg up with the leading PGA North Region professionals in the 36-hole tournament sponsored by Spirotech.

And he believes he could have an advantage over the rest of the field because he knows the course well and is coached by the club professional David Screeton.

“I’ll be seeing him in the next few days for a check up,” he said. “I’ve not played is many events this year but in view of the recession we are all grateful for the sponsorship.

“It’s a great tournament and an extra incentive is that it counts for Order of Merit points.

“I enter every competition with the intention of winning and my confidence has been lifted for this one because I’ve just changed my driver which has helped me to have a run of below par scores.

“I had a good finish in the Glenmuir Professional Championship and only missed out on a place in the PGA Cup team by three shots.”

Among past winners in the 130-strong line-up are Gatley’s Jon Cheetham (2003); David Clark (2004) from Morpeth; Aldersey Green’s Richard Bean (2005) and Robert Wragg (2006) from Hallowes. The tournament will be preceded by a pro-am.

Young back on top despite Fort win

MARK Young stepped up his bid for an unprecedented third successive Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title when he displaced Lancashire team-mate Tommy Fleetwood at the top of the table.

The Longridge player, who helped the Red Rose side win their first Northern Counties League match at the season against Durham at Castle Eden the previous day, finished second in the Acorn Trophy at Accrington to Craig Fort.

A former county player, the Nelson man tied with Young on five-under-par but got the verdict on the strength of a better second round of 67 which contained four birdies.

He also had an eagle at the 533-yard 16th in a morning score of 68. Third place, four off the pace, was Fairhaven’s Charles Durnian, son of European Senior Tour man Denis.

DETAILS: 135 Craig Fort (Nelson) 68 67, Mark Young (Longridge) 67 68; 139 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven) 68 71; 141 Carl Thompson (Manchester) 70 71; 142 Zac Harrison (Preston) 73 69, Tony Holt (Wilpshire) 67 75; 143 Ian Hardman (Accrington) 75 68, Ken Hudson (Hart Common) 75 68; 145 Oliver Pantoja (Ashton-on-Mersey) 72 73; 146 Adam Smith (Accrington) 72 74, Paul Biggins (Accrington) 67 79; 147 Robert Fawcett (Dukinfield) 77 70.

ORDER OF MERIT: 330 Mark Young (Longridge); 300 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall); 270 Carl Thompson (Manchester); 245 Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey); 230 Mark Young (Longridge); 210 Carl Thompson (Manchester); 200 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot), Zac Harrison (Preston); 165 James Robinson (S&A); 150 James Wilson (Formby), Charles Ford (Kirby Muxloe), Thomas Winn (Morecambe), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield), Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park), David Hurd (Leasowe), Mike Bedford (Prestbury), Craig Fort (Nelson); 125 Oliver Pantoja (Ashton-on-Mersey).

Cheshire champion Bedford bowls ’em over

MICHAEL Bedford followed up his victory in the Cheshire County Championship at his home club Prestbury last weekend when he won the Bromborough Bowl by a shot from Ashton-on-Mersey’s Ollie Smith.

It was his second success in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit after winning the Ashton Trophy at St Annes Old Links last year.

Bedford, 20, opened up with a 69 which included an eagle at the 327-yard fourth. A second round 71 was just enough to hold off Smith who leapfrogged merit defender Mark Young, from Longridge, into second place 55 points behind Formby Hall’s Tommy Fleetwood.

Chorley’s Andrew Palmer finished third, seven off the pace.

DETAILS: 140 Michael Bedford (Prestbury) 69 71; 141 Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey) 70 71; 147 Andrew Palmer (Chorley) 72 75; 148 Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham) 73 75; 149 Mark Geddes (Prenton) 73 76, Sam Roberts (Llanymynech) 73 76; 150 Gareth Bradley (Bramhall) 76 74, Kyle Evans (Prenton) 74 76, Curtis Dean (St Annes Old Links) 72 78; 152 Sean Towndrow (S&A) 78 74, Jamie Guy (Bromborough) 78 74, Paul Knight (Eastham Lodge) 74 78.

FULL NORTHERN ORDER OF MERIT TABLE:
Tommy Fleetwood, Formby Hall = 300
Ollie Smith, Ashton-on-Mersey = 245
Mark Young, Longridge = 230
Carl Thompson, Manchester = 210
John Carroll, Huyton & Prescot = 200
James Robinson, S&A = 165
James Wilson, Formby = 150
Charles Ford, Kirby Muxloe = 150
Zac Harrison, Preston = 150
Thomas Winn, Morecambe = 150
Jay McGarvey, Whitefield = 150
Ian Kenwright, Haydock Park = 150
David Hurd, Leasowe = 150
Michael Bedford, Prestbury = 150
Adam Wills, Sandiway = 115
Michael Hearn, Chorley = 100
Marcus Mohr, Hawarden = 100
Bob Bardsley, Denton = 100
Oliver Pantoja, Ashton-on-Mersey= 100
Gareth Hastie, Dunscar = 95
Roger Smithies, Manchester = 75
Chris Kneen, Castletown = 75
Andrew Palmer, Chorley = 75
Mark Rabone, S&A = 60
Richie Blundell, Hillside = 60
Andrew Addison, Ashton-in-Makerfield = 60
David Simpson, Penrith = 60
Colin Brown, Bromborough = 60
Henry Tomlinson, Royal Lytham = 60
Paul McFerran, Childwall = 55
Jonathan Corke, Rowany = 50
Will Jones, Oswestry = 50
David Marshall, The Worcestshire = 50
Stephen Jopson, Carlisle = 50
Nick Jackson, Chorley = 50
Martin Thomas, Royal Liverpool = 50
Craig Connell, Ashton & Lea = 50
Mark Geddes, Prenton = 50
Richard Pickard, Mere = 45
Mark Millhouse, Bolton = 45
Sean Nicholls, Shaw Hill = 45
Mike Kelly, Ashton-under-Lyne = 45
Ashley Sage, Sandiway = 45
Kyle Hughes, Formby Hall = 45
Sam Roberts, Llanymynech = 45
Kevin Reilly, S&A = 40
Richard Kilshaw, Hillside = 40
Declan Dixon, Fairhaven = 40
Graham Jackson, Manchester = 40
Luke Hignall, Prenton = 40
Paul Kinnear, Formby Hall = 40
Gareth Bradley, Bramhall = 40
David Smethurst, Formby = 35
Paul Lowey, Rowany = 30
Kristian Taylor, Formby = 30
Simon Coumbe, Pontefract = 30
Michael Downs, San Roque = 30
Reece Cranfield, Haigh Hall = 30
Mike Howarth, Penwortham = 30
Chris Cuthbert, Prestwich = 30
Brian McCann, Morecambe = 30
Ken Hudson, Hart Common = 30
Kyle Evans, Prenton = 30
Jonathan Harrison, S&A = 25
Anthony Bolton, Formby = 25
Ewan Patterson, St Annes Old Links = 25
Chris Rabbich, R&A = 25
Chris Bracewell, Ashton & Lea = 25
Curtis Dean, St Annes Old Links = 25
Drew Molloy, Hillside = 20
Tim Cooper, Marriott Worsley Park = 20
Matthew Galley, Morecambe = 20
Tom Stewart, St Annes Old Links = 20
Steve Benton, South Staffs = 20
Daryl Callister, Mount Murray = 20
Sean Towndrow, S&A = 20
Anthony Stirling, Formby = 15
Anthony Holden, Preston = 15
Gareth Clark, Manchester = 15
Paul Jones, Royal Birkdale = 15
Chris Harrison, Sandiway = 15
Jamie Guy, Bromborough = 15
Kevin Kean, Ashton-on-Mersey = 10
Gavin Nesbit, Boldon = 10
Paul Armstrong, Penwortham = 10
Daniel Sefton, Lancaster = 10
David Peel, Stockport = 10
Sean Blinkhorn, Leigh = 10
Paul Knight, Eastham Lodge = 10

Haylock romps to Stoke by Nayland victory

Tom ends 16 under to win by eight shots in Suffolk!

Tom Haylock romped to victory in The Stoke by Nayland Championship 2009, shooting a final round 65 to win by eight strokes at 16 under.

Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd) began the day tied for the lead at nine under and followed a solid level opening three holes with birdies at four, six and eight to move to 12 under. He showed no signs of nerves on the back nine either; with four more birdies seeing him shoot 65 for a comprehensive victory. The 45/1 pre-tournament shot with Sky Bet dropped just two shots in the three rounds, both on the front nine on the opening day, and his round matches Antonio Sobrinho’s eight shot win in 2003 as the biggest margin of victory in the Tour’s history, and takes Haylock into fourth spot on the Order of Merit.

Chris Gaunt endured a topsy-turvy round that eventually saw him rather fall into second place. The Australian parred just four holes in his final round and a bogey at the last saw him finish on level par for the day, eight under for the tournament. It appeared that had ruined Gaunt’s chances of sole possession of runners-up spot, but James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City GC) – who began the day tied for the lead with Haylock – never got of the traps and found himself at eight under for the tournament at the last, where he dropped a shot to finish in a five-way tie for third.

Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland) shot a two under 70 to join Ruebotham in third, along with Scott Jamieson, Matthew Ford (Marriot Tudor Park) and Nicky Harris (Whitefield GC) who won at Stoke by Nayland last year and follows his runners-up finish at Bovey Castle with a third place in Suffolk.

Steve Surry (Cumberwell Park) was one stroke behind overnight after a blistering nine under 63 in his second round, but it was a frustrating day for the 27 year-old, who was level until dropping a shot at the eighth and a double bogey at 13 prevented him from finishing higher than tied eighth, along with Mark Kerr (Golf Fit Ltd/Bathgate GC) and Elliot Saltman (Aegon) who carded a final round of 68.

The next event on the PGA EuroPro tour is the Motocaddy Masters at The Players Club in Bristol, beginning on July 14.

FINAL SCORES FROM THE STOKE BY NAYLAND CHAMPIONSHIP 2009
1 Tom Haylock 68, 67, 65 -16 200 £10,000
2 Chris Gaunt 71, 65, 72 -8 208 £5,000
=3 Jamie Moul 71, 68, 70 -7 209 £1,560
=3 Scott Jamieson 70, 69, 70 -7 209 £1,560
=3 Matthew Ford 68, 70, 71 -7 209 £1,560
=3 Nick Harris 68, 70, 71 -7 209 £1,560
=3 James Ruebotham 71, 64, 74 -7 209 £1,560

Surry and Haylock joint favourites for Stoke by Nayland victory

Pair 7/2 for the win – Moul 28/1 to close gap on home course

Tom Haylock and James Ruebotham share the lead in The Stoke by Nayland Championship 2009 at nine under par – but official bookmakers Sky Bet are wary of Steve Surry.

Order of Merit leader Surry (Cumberwell Park) is one stroke behind the leading pair and joins Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd) at 7/2 to win the tournament, which concludes tomorrow (Thursday July 2). Surry carded a magnificent nine under 63 to follow his one over opening round, while Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City GC) is 9/2 for victory after a round of 64 to share the lead.

Australian Chris Gaunt and Scotsman Mark Kerr (Golf Fit Ltd/Bathgate GC) are also eight under going into the final round and are 5/1 and 20/1 for victory respectively, while Kieran Staunton (Woodcote Park – 10/1) and Jeremy Kavanagh (Stoke Park – 20/1) are two shots behind at seven under.

Nicky Harris (Whitefield GC, six under) won at Stoke by Nayland last year and is 18/1 to repeat that success while Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland) is four shots off the lead and 28/1 to lift the trophy on home soil.

To view the full market click here: http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvClass&id=34&aff=4527&EPT_Website

West Midlands have a few places available

West Midland Golf Club still have a few remaining places available in their Seniors Open on Thursday 9th July and their Gents open which takes place on the 11th July.

The Senior event is for gents over the age of 55 and with a maximum handicap of 24. The cost is £15 and the event is an individual stableford.

The Gents event is an individual strokeplay and open to male golfers with a handicap of 24 or less. There is a £100 prize for the best gross score.

The seniors entry-form can be found here and the gents entry-form here.

Scalm Park Individual Open

An Individual Stableford open golf competition will take place at Scalm Park Golf Club on Sunday 19th July 2009.

Available tee-times are between 1pm and 3pm with the cost of entry just £15 - great value for weekend golf! All the entry-fees are put back into the prize fund with places for the top 3 (handicap certificates required).

Those who have not played Scalm Park before will enjoy a truly memorable golfing experience. The 18-hole golf course is set in stunning countryside with it's well maintained fairways and strategically placed hazards appealing to golfers of all abilities.

More details here.

Haylock and Ruebotham lead EuroPro Tour at Stoke by Nayland

Duo tied at nine under – Surry shoots 63 to move one stroke behind

The final day of The Stoke by Nayland Championship 2009 promises to be an exciting one – with Tom Haylock and James Ruebotham tied for the lead after a fine day of scoring at the PGA EuroPro Tour event in Suffolk.

Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City GC) fired the second best round of the day – an eight under 64 – to share the lead, starting with three birdies and an eagle in his first five holes and picking up three more shots in a faultless round.

Since dropping a shot on the eighth in his opening round, Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd) has avoided any blemishes – ending his opening round four under par and shooting a 67 in his second round to progress to nine under.

Surry (Cumberwell Park) fired out of the blocks, birdying the first five holes in order to blank out his opening round 73. A sixth birdie at the eighth was followed by a dropped shot at the ninth to see him go out at four under for the tournament – but the 27 year-old was not finished there and continued his charge up the leaderboard with four birdies on his back nine to shoot a fantastic nine under round-of-the-day 63.

Australian Chris Gaunt joins Surry at eight under after a fine round of his own. A 71 on the opening day meant he began the second round at one under, but he soon made inroads into catching the leaders with five birdies on the front nine and two on the back contributing to a 65. Mark Kerr (Saffron Walden) was in the penultimate trio to finish and made it a chasing pack of three one stroke behind the leaders with his second 68 of the tournament.

Gaunt and Surry could’ve been joined by overnight co-leader Kieran Staunton (Woodcote Park) who moved to eight under from beginning the day at five under but a bogey at 18 means he is two shots behind along with Jeremy Kavanagh (Stoke Park) carded a 67 to move to seven under.

Matthew Ford (Marriott Tudor Park), Lorne Kelly (Pro Dream USA) and Nicky Harris (Whitefield GC) – who won here in 2008 – all posted rounds of 70 to follow opening rounds of 68 to move to six under.

Craig Housden (Channels) shared the overnight lead with Staunton but a treble bogey at the tenth means he is eight shots off the lead at one under.

Fifty-seven players made the cut at one over and the final round will begin at 8am, with the leading duo of Haylock and Ruebotham teeing off at 12.30pm. Live scoring is available on the final round by visiting www.europrotour.com and clicking on the Score Updates link on the homepage.