PAUL Doherty shares the lead heading into the closing round of the PGA EuroPro Tour championship at Slaley Hall near Newcastle.
The former Scottish Boys’ champion, who could gain promotion to next year’s Challenge Tour with victory in Northumbria this week, posted a level-par 73 for a one-under aggregate of 143. With a pair of bogeys on his front nine cancelled out by birdi
es at 11 and 12, the Vale Hotel player sits in a tie for top spot with English duo Chris Hanson and Simon Lilly.
Hanson (Woodsome Hall) led by one stroke after his opening round 70 in the North East but he found his second round tougher going and a one over 73 saw him drop to one under.
The 24 year-old began well with birdies at the fourth and sixth holes moving him to four under, but a double-bogey at seven was followed by bogeys at eight and nine to move to level par – with three birdies and two bogeys on the back nine taking him to 73 for the day and one under after two rounds.
Lilly (Wellingborough) produced a fine round of 70 to join Hanson and Doherty at the top of the leaderboard, beginning on the back nine with two birdies, dropping his only shot of the round at the second but making that back at the fourth to leave the 2004 Order of Merit winner in prime position.
Doherty’s older brother Jack, a winner on the EuroPro circuit this season, shares ninth on 147 after a 74 while Glasgow’s Scott Jamieson, the order of merit leader, had a 75 to finish in 24th on 151.
The winner will take home a cheque for £15,000.
