Local favourite Benn Barham from Ashford, Kent, shot a bogey free 68 in the third round of the Qualifying School Stage One at Chart Hills to open up a three-shot lead. He leads Belgian amateur Nicolas Colsaerts, and French professional Lionel Alexandre.
Barham, 24, who finished fourth in the Scottish PGA Championship last month, fired four birdies including one on the 15th where he hit a majestic three iron into the wind to 15ft and holed the putt. Barham, assistant professional at the host Club for the past four years, said "local knowledge was a big advantage - at least I know which side to miss it on!!"
After a disappointing season on the greens, Simon McCarthy found his putting form to lead the pre-qualifying at Five Lakes in Essex.
The 25-year-old Devonian carded a bogey-free best-of-the-day 66 for nine-under-par 207 and is two strokes ahead of Suffolk-based Jon Bevan, who shot 70, and Oscar Serna from Mexico with 71.
McCarthy, who had six birdies, said: “I played really solid. I hit it close when needed and I putted real well which is unusual for me this year. It was nice to hole a few and I managed to get three in from around 20 feet.
“Conditions were the toughest so far this week with a stiff wind but I’’ll take another like that tomorrow.”
No one got within three shots of McCarthy’’s effort but Cornishman Chris Benians and James Eddolls, who is attached to Five Lakes, both carded 69 to climb to joint seventh and joint 12th respectively.
Ruben Alvarez, seeking to regain his tour card after five years away, is joint fourth on 210 after a 71 along with Andrea Maestroni from Italy and Sweden’’s Peter Grimfjord.
With the top 27 players plus ties after tomorrow’’s (Friday) final round progressing to stage two in Spain in November, those within eight strokes of that mark survived the cut which came at seven over par 223.
That leaves 71 players to fight for those 27 spots including Surrey’’s Chris Rodgers whose 73 for 216 included a hole-in-one with a six-iron at the 171 yard second hole.
Unluckiest player was Finland’’s Jyry Peltomaki, who thought he’’d shot 76 but was penalised two shots after moving his ball in play on the ninth, his final hole. It meant a 78, which left him on 224, one shot over the limit.
At the rain delayed Moliets venue the second round was completed with David Montesi of Royal Mougins, France holding a two stroke lead on 5 under par from a group of 5 players 2 strokes behind. Play will carry over until Saturday at this venue.
At Wynyard James Healey shot a second successive 68 to take the lead and at Carden Park Welsh amateur Jamie Donaldson caught overnight leader Neil Price with a round of 69.
Chart Hills third round scores
Carden Park third round scores
Wynyard third round scores
Five Lakes third round scores
Moliets second round scores
