Three's company

Lucy Williams headed the trio of PGA Professionals who will contest the final round of the inaugural WPGA International Challenge at Stoke By Nayland.

Williams, who captured the Glenmuir Women’s PGA Championship in June, was one of the 20 PGA pros and assistants in the 120-strong international field.

She will joined in the third round over the Gainsborough course at the Suffolk resort by Katie Rule, a 19-year-old assistant at St Enodoc Golf Club, Cornwall, and Joanne Oliver from Knebworth Golf Club, Hertfordshire.

Williams, who was level par on day one, followed up with a one-over-par 73 to trail tournament leader Kelsey Macdonald by eight strokes.

Her start to the second round was completely at odds with the way she had begun round one, however.

Having posted two birdies in the first five holes on day one, the 24-year-old from Mid-Herts Golf Club bogeyed the second on day two. Successive bogeys followed at the ninth and 10^th but were cancelled out by birdies at the fifth and 12^th.

Things could have been different had her putting been on song. “I didn’t hole anything,” she admitted. “But this has been a good experience for me – winning the Glenmuir has given me a lot of confidence and, as the course suits my game, I’m hopeful of having a good finish.”

Rule and Oliver, meanwhile lie a stroke adrift of Williams after posting second rounds of 72 and 71 respectively to comfortably make the cut, which fell at four-over.

And while the trio battle for a portion of the €25,000 prize fund, the contest for the €4,000 winner’s cheque looks likely to be fought out by Macdonald, Hannah Ralph and Amy Boulden.

But although Scotland’s Macdonald has the advantage, she have to hold her nerve if she is to claim the most prestigious prize of her short professional career.

The 24-year-old, who began the day level on four-under with England’s Ralph, followed up with a round of three-under to lead the tournanment.

In terms of an advantage, however, the gap is gossamer thin. Hot on her heels, one stroke behind are Ralph and Boulden of Wales.

Ominously for Macdonald, while Ralph afforded her an opening, Boulden maintained the pressure.

The 19-year-old, who was a member of the victorious 2012 Curtis Cup team and is making her professional debut, posted a second successive three-under-par round of 69.

Should Macdonald maintain her form of the first two rounds and win the tournament which, supported by Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa, victory will come within four months of her turning pro.

“I turned pro in May so have not had half a season,” added Macdonald, who is attached to the Robert Rock Golf Centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

“It’s been a case of finding my feet and I’m pleased with the way things are going. I’ve had some invites from the Ladies European Tour and the advice I’ve had from Robert Rock has been invaluable. He’s a great mentor to have.”

In total, 31 professionals and four amateurs contesting the final round, a number that excludes Alison Nicholas, the former victorious Solheim Cup captain and US Open winner.

Nicholas, who was making a rare appearance, was impressed by the venue and the golf from one of her playing partners, Spain’s Mireia Prat who, with Galina Rotmistrova of Russia, are the leading overseas players on three-under.

“The Spanish girl looks a great prospect,” said Nicholas. “And I’m certainly encouraged by the standard of play I’ve seen.

“I played to support the tournament and because I’ve got some games coming up.

“It’s proved to be a good event on a great course at a superb venue. The owners of Stoke by Nayland have been very supportive and the staff very hospitable.”