Fred Funk established a four shot lead early in the third round of The Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard as Sam Torrance found trouble at the second hole.

Both Funk – who set a record 11 under par halfway total – and Scot Torrance, who resides just down the road from the Berkshire course, gained a stroke at the par five opener.

That left Europe’s former Ryder Cup Captain nine under and three behind the 53 year old American.

But at the dog-leg left par four next Torrance drove in to the trees and had to take a penalty drop. From there he chipped onto the fairway, played his fourth to the front of the green and even then needed a chip and two putts for a triple bogey seven.

The only consolation for the 55 year old was that Funk also bogeyed the hole.

America’s 2006 winner Loren Roberts was up to second, a birdie at the third taking him to seven under.

Earlier Kirk Hanefeld, who came through qualifying at Camberley Heath, had a hole in one at the 171 yard fourth.

The American’s six iron ace took the 53 year old back to two over for the week.