HEPWORTH EXTENDS HIS LEAD GOING INTO FINAL DAY


EUROPEAN PRO TOUR NEWS RELEASE
JAMES Hepworth has extended his lead in Northern Ireland as he closed in on the £10,000 top prize in the latest PGA EuroPro Tour event.
Hepworth (Ilkley GC) held a one-shot advantage going into Thursday’s play in the Galgorm Castle Northern Ireland PGA EuroPro Tour Open.
But he performed well for the second day running as birdies at the second, third, sixth and tenth saw him go round in four-under, taking his total to -13.
His nearest challenger is James Webber (Three Rivers Golf Club), who went round in three-under and is currently on ten-under for the competition.
However, Webber could live to regret his three dropped shots as he claimed bogeys at the fifth, sixth and 17th.
Australian Daniel Gaunt has continued his fantastic start to the 2010 campaign and he is again in contention to claim a victory.
He won the opening tournament of the season at Wensum Valley in Norfolk , finished tied second after a five-hole play-off at Longhirst Hall and ended seventh at Bovey Castle last week.
Gaunt is likely to pick up more money from this event as a fine round, which included an eagle at the par five third, leaves him vying for the title.
He is joined in third position by Ireland ’s Barrie Trainor (Team Ireland Golf), who had started the day in second but dropped shots at each of the opening two holes.
Another Irish golfer, Michael Collins (www.foreireland.com), is among a handful of players on eight-under, while Ian Keenan will still be confident of glory.
There are a host of players on seven-under, including Craig Lee (Aspire Golf Centre), a winner last week at Bovey Castle in Devon .
Gary Wolstenholme (Carus Green GC) and Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC) have maintained their record of making the cut at every EuroPro Tour event they have played in this season.
The top 50 players plus ties will advance to the third round that will be played on Friday.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
131 James Hepworth (England) 63 68.
134 James Webber (England) 65 69, Daniel Gaunt (Australia) 69 65.
135 Barrie Traynor (Ireland) 64 71, Dale Marmion (England) 67 68, Ian Keenan (England) 67 68.
Selected scores:
139 Craig Lee (Scotland) 70 67 (jt 9th).
140 John Gallagher (Swanston)( 67 73 (jt 28th).
141 Mark Kerr (Dalmahoy) 70 71, Ross Cameron (Saltire Energy) 75 66 (jt 52nd)
142 Scott Henry (The Carrick on Loch Lomond) 73 69 (jt 37th).
143 Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) 71 72, Scott Herald (Mearns Castle) 72 71, Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) 69 74 (jt 46th).
MISSED THE CUT
144 Barry Hume (Haggs Castle) 72 72, Graham Rankin (Drumpellier) 70 74.
145 John Henry (Clydebank and Dist) 72 73.
147 Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) 73 74,Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie Golf Links) 73 74.
148 Mark Rae 76 72.
149 Zack Saltman (Aegon) 73 72.
151 Mark Lawrie, Euan McIntosh (Newmachar) 76 73.
152 Kevin McAlpine (Alyth) 83 69.
158 Martin Lawrence 78 80.