Fowles leads Motocaddy Masters

Billy Fowles leads the Motocaddy Masters by two strokes to Stiggy Hodgson ahead of the final round of the 888poker.com PGA Europro Tour season opener at Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club in Norfolk.

Fowles (Wentworth) shot eagles on the par-five 14th and 18th holes on his way to a three-under-par 70 on day two and goes into the final round four-under. He made birdies at the fourth and 15th but bogeys on the fifth, ninth and 10th restricted his lead to two shots.

Former Walker Cup player Hodgson (Wisley Golf Club), who was one-over-par after the first 18, also shot a three-under 70 on day two and is second on the leaderboard after 36 holes. He opened with back-to-back birdies at one and two and after three pars gained another shot at the par-five sixth. A bogey six at 16 cost Hodgson a shot but a birdie on the par-five last returned his score to two-under.

“You have to be careful, you have to be clever,” he said after his second round. “I am not a big hitter, I just plotted my way around and took my chances when I had them.

“There are still 18 holes to play and anything can happen over a round of golf. I am used to having the TV cameras on me from my Walker Cup experience so that might help me.”

James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City Golf Club) is third, three strokes behind leader Fowlers. He signed for a second-round 70 on the par-73 Wensum Course to take his score to one under. He made birdies at seven, nine, 14 and 15 with a solitary bogey five on the third the only blemish on his card.

Four golfers – Bruce Mcdonald, Paul Reed, Dan Waite and Elliot Saltman - are tied fourth on level par.

A cut of the leading 50 players plus ties has now been made, with golfers seven-under-par or better proceeding to play Thursday’s final round.

Sky Sports are filming for a highlights package to be screened on Wednesday, May 15. The final group tee off at 12:21pm. Live scoring is available at www.europrotour.com.