Finely poised at Lossie

Overnight leaders in the women’s tournament – Stirling duo Gemma Batty and Sinead Sexton – each battled to very accomplished one under par rounds of 70 over the New Course.

Only once in the round was the gap more than one shot, after Sexton bogeyed the par 5 sixth hole to Batty’s birdie. However, the Irish player bounced back immediately with a birdie two at the seventh to stay in touch. The lead changed hands back and forth until the end of the round when Batty needed a birdie three at the final hole to get to lunch on level pegging. At the close of the round three the Stirling duo share top spot on a tournament total of five under par, six ahead of Lieve Van Veggel of St Andrews.

The men took to the Old course in cold and breezy conditions keen to make a move up the field and with it earn valuable points towards the British Universities standings and a place at the Tour Finals at Princes GC on 11-13 April.

Overnight leader Laird Shepherd (Stirling) stuck in well despite three dropped shots in four holes from the fourth, steadying over the remainder to post a +2 score of 73.

Playing partner and stablemate Chris Maclean took partial advantage of the opportunity to close in, carding four birdies on his way to a level par 71 and a tournament total of -2, three shots back from the lead.

The main mover this morning though was UHI’s Italian maestro Ricardo Cellerino, who scooped six birdies, including a rare one on the 18th, to post a 68 and join Maclean in a tie for second spot.

The final round for all 42 men and 9 women is underway and an afternoon of exciting and high quality golf is assured.