Broadhurst is once again loving life
JUST one shot separates Paul Broadhurst and Magnus P Atlevi as the pair moved clear of the chasing pack after yesterday’s second round of the Scottish Senior Open.
The duo, who finished first and second on the European Senior Tour Order of Merit in 2016, both carded four-underpar rounds of 67 at the Renaissance Club.
Broadhurst leads on nineunder-par, adding to his first round of 66, one stroke ahead of Atlevi as Chris Williams and Mike Harwood share third place on six-under.
Winner of this event in 2015 and victorious on Scottish soil at last year’s Senior Open Championship, Broadhurst is pleased with his performance on the North Berwick links.
“I’ve played well in Scotland over the last few years, so it’s nice to be back here,” he said. “I seemed to have had the bad weather these last few weeks, but this morning was quite pleasant.
“I was getting frustrated around the turn; I missed a few chances early on so I had to be patient. I came good with birdies on 13 and 16, and then finished with a good iron shot on 18.”
After starting the day level par, South Africa’s Williams equalled the course record to take a share of third alongside Australia’s
Mike Harwood, who carded a two-under-par round of 69.
In a tie for fifth place are Brendan McGovern and Mark Mouland, who also equalled the course record with a round of 65, on five-under.
PAUL HOWARD will take a two-shot lead into today’s final round of the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge after signing for rounds of 65 and 66 during the third day in Finland.
Weather delays on Friday meant many players were forced to finish their second rounds yesterday morning and, with six holes still left to play, Howard maintained focus to sign for a blemish-free score of 65.
Beginning his third round one shot behind overnight leader Rhys Enoch, Howard made the perfect start by draining a 30-foot putt for birdie at the first.
A bogey at the fourth was cancelled out by birdies at the fifth, sixth and eighth as the 26-year-old climbed to the top of the leaderboard.
Three further gains over the back nine took the Englishman two shots clear of Sweden’s Simon Forsström.
One shot further back on 14-under-par is Denmark’s Jeff Winther who signed for a third round of 65 – the same score as four-time European Tour winner Ricardo Gonzalez, who is four shots off the lead on 13-under-par.