Gavins on target for princely finish

Daniel Gavins is closing in on victory in the 888.poker.com PGA Europro Tour Order of Merit after shooting a 65 to lead by a stroke in the Tour Championship.

The Yorkshire golfer will play the final round with Oliver Farr - who he lost out to in a play-off at Montrose last month – after both shot second round seven-under-par 65s at Prince’s.

Farr (Worcester Golf & Country Club), who can still win the Order of Merit with victory in Kent, shares second with Irishman Michael McGeady (69, 67) on eight under with Simon Lilly (Wellingborough, 67, 70) and Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey, 65, 72) seven under, two behind leader Gavins on the par-72 course.

The 22-year-old Gavins, who is attached to De Vere Oulton Hall, is second on the Order of Merit and has already guaranteed himself a top five finish along with George Woolgar (Capitalservices).

He won the HotelPlanner.com Championship at Dale Hill in August and finished second in the Eagle Orchid Scottish Masters at Montrose and in the Clipper Logistics Championship at Moor Allerton, losing in a sudden-death play-off in both events.

A victory for either Gavins or Farr tomorrow would see them crowned 2013 Order of Merit champion, provided Woolgar finishes outside the top two. The Chesterfield golfer is tied 36th on level par ahead of Thursday’s final 18.

“I hit the fairways and holed some nice putts,” said Gavins of his second round. “At the start of the day it was pretty calm but the wind picked up as my round went on.

“It would mean an awful lot to win this week but I am not really thinking about winning the Order of Merit. I already have Challenge Tour through the top five so anything else this week is a bonus.”

Joint second-placed Farr said: “I hit seven birdies and played some really good golf, it was probably one of the best rounds I have ever played and in some tricky conditions coming down the stretch.”

Woolgar leads the Tour rankings, with Gavins, Farr, Dave Coupland (-1, T31) and Paul McKechnie (-4, T14) completing the current top five.

Only Woolgar and Gavins have already secured their playing rights for next season’s Challenge Tour. The top five on the Order of Merit at the conclusion of Tour Championship will earn a card on next season’s Challenge Tour.

Spectator entry to Tour Championship is free of charge throughout the week and a two-hour highlights package will be broadcast at 8pm on Tuesday, October 29 on Sky Sports 2 HD, repeated four times the following day.