Watson and Marsh share lead ahead of Longhirst Finale

Nick Watson and Nick Marsh share a one-shot lead on eight-under-par ahead of the final round of the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour’s Dawson & Sanderson Classic at Longhirst Hall Golf Club in Morpeth.

Paul Kinnear (Formby Golf Club 66, 71) is third while five players, including 16-year-old Korean senstation Min Kyu Kim (Golfmind Korea; 67, 72), are two off the lead on six under.

Watson (Stock Rochford Golf Club) and Marsh (Huddersfield Golf Club) have both shot 66, 70 to reach eight under on the Dawson Course.

Marsh made four birdies in his second round but dropped shots at 11 and 13, while Watson would have had an outright lead had he not bogeyed the last, his only blemish of the day. Watson is on course for his first top ten of the season while Marsh could leap to second on the Race To Amendoira with victory – he is yet to miss a cut this season.

Kinnear had also started the day at six under and was one shot better off at the turn with two birdies and a bogey on his front nine. He came home in 35 with two birdies and two bogeys to sign for a 71 and take up third.

Irish duo Tim Rice (Limerick Golf Club; 69, 70) and Brendan McCarroll (Narin & Portnoo Golf Club) join Kim in a tie for fourth with two Englishmen; Steve Robins (Hull Golf Club; 69, 70), and Liam Murray (GNK Golf & The LM Club).

A cut to the leading 50 players and ties has now been made with all those at one over par of better after two rounds advancing to play Friday’s final 18, after which the winner will take home £10,000 from a £50,000 prize fund.

Spectator entry is free of charge and live scoring can be found at www.europrotour.com. Highlights of the Dawson & Sanderson Classic from Longhirst Hall will air on Sky Sports on Tuesday, July 18.