Powerade PGA Assistants Championship

Graham Fox's 68 puts him in contention at East Sussex National

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA

Scotland’s could be poised for its first Powerade PGA Assistants’ Champion in

eight years after East Kilbride’s Graham Fox thrust himself into contention.

The 33-year-old, pictured, who has just completed his three-year PGA Foundation degree,

fired a best-of-the-day four-under-par 68 to move to five-under for the tournament and within one shot of the leader – East Berkshire’s Guy Woodman. Fox, one of only five players on the opening day at East Sussex National to shoot under par, shot equal halves of 34 – including an eagle at the par 10th - to put himself In the frame to win the championship, which is in association with FootJoy.

Scotland’s last champion was David Orr in 2002 but Fox could be poised to end that lean spell having ensured that Woodman, champon in 2008 and runner-up last year, would not romp to a second title in three years.

“I knew Guy would get to five or six under so I knew I needed to get as many under as I could to have a chance,” said Fox.

“It was no good shooting level par as it would probably be a bit too much to get back in touch with him. I wasn’t any more aggressive, things just went for me. I put the ball in the right place and putted better.

“I had a couple of five foot putts for par and that just helped keep the momentum going.

“Being in the final group is where I wanted be, but maybe a couple of shots better off, but I’m happy to be in the final group.”

Yorkshire’s Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall) and Devon’s Kevin Harper (Sidmouth) share third place at two-under par with Elie’s David Patrick in fifth place at level par. The top 40 and ties made the cut to compete for a share of the £30,000 prize fund on offer. The winner also receives an invite to the 2011 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth – the European Tour’s flagship event.

LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 144 (2x72)

138 Guy Woodman (East Berkshire) 69 69.

139 Graham Fox (East Kilbride) 71 68.

142 Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall) 71 71, Kevin Harper (Sidmouth) 69 73.

144 David Patrick (Elie) 73 71.

146 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) 72 74, Michael Ramsden (Bondhay) 73 73.

Selected scores:

151 Gareth Wright (West Linton) 75 78 (jt 19th).

153 Greg McBain (Royal Dornoch) 79 74.

MISSED THE CUT (154 or better qualified)

155 Fraser Pook (Aberedour) 79 80.

157 Riccardo Rebecchi (Addington Court) 82 75.

158 Scott Herald (Adam Hunter Golf) 77 81, Malcolm Isaacs (Nairn Dunbar) 76 82.

159 Calum Lawson (Blaigowrie) 79 80.

164 Alan Martin (The Duke's St Andrews) 85 79.

165 Brian Gibson (The Carrick) 85 80