Fox well ahead of chasing pack

James Fox can follow in the footsteps of his brother Noel if he takes advantage of a four-stroke overnight lead and wins the East of Ireland Amateur Open at Baltray today.

But having shared the lead with Paul Cutler with 36 holes to go in 2009 only to finish ten shots behind the Portstewart man, the 29-year-old Dubliner is taking nothing for granted.

Having avoided the horrific morning conditions that forced officials to delay the start by 70 minutes, the former Leinster interprovincial was happy to add a one over 73 to his opening 66 to lead from Co Sligo’s Gary McDermott on five under par.

“I’d have taken that on the first tee,” said Fox, who believes he’s a better player than the he was when he jointly led at halfway in 2009 before fading to 10th.

“I am three years older and three years more experienced. That said, I bet nobody remembers who was leading at halfway last year.”

Fox bogeyed the first but after birdies at the third and fifth left him on seven under, he bogeyed the eighth, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th and was pleased to pick up shots at the 14th, 16th and 18th coming home.

He was still only marginally happier than 30-year-old bank official McDermott who narrowly escaped disqualification on Saturday when he arrived late for his tee time and was handed a two stroke penalty before carding a 74.

If McDermott was lucky to escape disqualification, he was doubly blessed by the draw which saw him avoid driving rain and high winds that sent scores soaring in the morning.

“We definitely got the best of the weather,” said McDermott, who was second to Cian Curley at Baltray two years ago. “The tees were up and the wind died. I played well yesterday but I played great today.”

West Waterford’s Gary Hurley was in a six-man group tied for eighth on two over par after a level par 72 but Limerick’s Pat Murray slipped 10 shots off the pace after an afternoon 77.