Royal show by King and Colegate

Gary King and Jack Colegate share the lead on nine-under-par ahead of the final round of the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event at Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh.

Local amateur James Ross, who is attached to Royal Burgess, is just one behind after rounds of 65 and 67 on the par 70 course.

However, as an amateur he is unable to collect any prize money from the tournament, which carries a £40,000 purse with £10,000 going to the winner.

King (Tyrrell’s Wood) carded a second-round 67, while Colegate (Deanridge Golf Club) was one shot better on day two having started the day one behind King, who had held the lead outright overnight.

“I was really happy with my first round,” said co-leader King. “I was out in the afternoon and the greens were a touch slower, so I felt six under yesterday was a really good score.

“The second round I was a bit disappointed because I hit 17 greens but had a couple of three putts in the middle of the round. I felt like I had let a couple go but to shoot nine under for two rounds is pretty decent, I am happy.

“It is my sort of course, fairly similar to Mar Hall in Glasgow where I shot the course record last summer. If you are hitting your short irons well then there is a low score out there, and I have done that well and also putted well and kept it in play off the tees.

“I have been in contention before on the EuroPro. I feel like in the second round I have taken a lead from the first round and maintained it through the second round, and that is a big achievement in itself. I will go out there again on Friday and try and do the same thing.”

Trailing the leading pair is 2013 Scottish Amateur Golfer of Year Ross, who is playing in his first professional event but maintaining his amateur status with a view to turning pro at the end of the summer.

The 24-year-old enjoyed strong support from the Royal Burgess membership on the first two days, and is hoping to make home advantage count in the final round in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

“I am very happy to be in this situation,” said Ross. “It is a lot of fun to play on my home course and it is good to have some local support. To be in with a chance is very exciting but there is a third of the tournament left to play and anything can happen.

“The greens are really, really good right now. The greens are normally true but they are fairly fast right now, which makes it interesting.

“I know the course quite well, have played it thousands of times, and am very comfortable here. I will be in the final group with the two leaders and to be in the mix in a pro event is very exciting.”

The final round will be filmed for a two-hour highlights show to be broadcast on Sky Sports on Tuesday, July 29 and spectator entry to the tournament is free.