Abbott at the summit

Phil Abbott (John O’Gaunt) fired a three-under-par 68 to hold a narrow lead at the halfway stage of the Weston Homes East Herts Fourball Betterball.

The East Region’s latest Order of Merit event, which runs parallel to a team competition similar to the Dunhill Links, saw early starter Abbott hit the front and never get headed on a blustery day.

Abbott is one clear from a group of four players. He put an early bogey behind him, picking up four strokes from the fifth hole through the 11th.

He dropped back to two-under after 16 holes but recovered with a birdie-par finish to set a clubhouse total that was never bettered.

Tom Obergan (Berkhamsted) did get to three-under but slipped up at the final hole to fall into a tie for second. Adam Pike also bogeyed the last after an incredible scoring spree on the back nine. He was five-under for five holes from the 13th before eventually ending up signing for a two-under 69.

The other two players within touching distance of Abbott are Stephen Harris (The Shire) and Brett Taylor (Brett Taylor Golf). Harris ended his day on a high with a rare two at the testing par-3 18th.

A further seven players are within two shots of the leader ensuring a tense final day at East Herts. Order of Merit leader Ian Campbell (Cheshunt Park) isn’t completely out of touch after an opening 72, while his closest pursuer James Webber (Three Rivers G&CC) is a shot better off.

In the team event, Pike and partner shot nine-under to lead by a shot from the Abbott, Taylor and Chris Baron (West Essex) combinations.