British Seniors Open: Charles leads in Co Down

Bob Charles has made a bold bid to win the British Seniors' Championship for

a third time and at Royal County Down has moved into the lead at

four-under-par after 10 holes today.

Left-hander Charles from New Zealand, winner of the British Open in 1963,

started the third round at minus-four, one stroke behind overnight leader

John Bland and after both players picked up birdies at the fist hole Charles

made eight pars and a bogey at the 5th hole while playing partner Bland

bogeyed the 5th, 6th and 7th to drop back to three under.

The third member of the trio, David Oakley, after also making birdies at the

first hole, went to three-under after bogeys at the 5th and 8th.

Jack Nicklaus is also making a move up the leaderboard after level par for

his first two rounds.

The Golden Bear had five birdies in 12 holes to be two-under for the tournament and very much in touch.

Gary Player started the day at three-over and remained in that position after 16 holes, despite an eagle at the long 12th hole.

Amateur Arthur Pierse carded a 75 today to be 12-over-par but is in line to

collect the leading amateur's medal as he is two strokes ahead of Norman

Swenson from the US, the only other amateur to make the cut last night.

Eddie Polland posted a 70 today to be six-over-par, Denis O'Sullivan made 74

to be nine-over while Paul Leonard was 14-over with two holes to play and

Kenny Stevenson was six-over after 12.

Just five of the 10 Irish starters made the cut.