British Senior's Golf: Nicklaus and Player to make the cut

American David Oakley made the early running today in the British Seniors’ Open Championship at Royal County Down posting a three-under-par 68 to be four-under for the tournament and is the clubhouse leader.

Oakley, second at Royal Portrush in ‘96, made seven birdies with a four-in-a-row from the 9th hole but three-putted from the edge of the 18th for bogey six.

Joint overnight leader John Bland - three under - got off to a blistering start going eagle-par-birdie but then bogeyed the 6th, double-bogeyed the 7th and bogeyed the 9th to slip down the leaderboard.

However, he made three birdies in a row from the 10th hole before dropping a stroke at the 15th and with three holes to play was joint leader at four-under.

Also four-under after 30 holes was New Zealand left-hander Bob Charles, a former winner of the championship.

Her made three birdies after a 69 yesterday.

Englishman Denis Durnien who shared three-under last night with South African Bland slid dramatically today to be one over.

Kenny Stevenson from Warrenpoint is best of the Irish so far - he has carded his second 72 to be two over for the tournament and safely into the weekend action.

Not so, Liam Higgins, Joe McDermott and Paddy McGuirk while amateur Arthur Pierce (8 over) and Eddie Polland (7 over) must wait until the end to see what their fate is.

Denis O’Sullivan, despite a horrendous five-over-par nine at the 3rd hole finished strongly with a hat-trick of birdies and should make the cut at six-over-par.

Paul Leonard is also safely through but Ray Kane and amateur Peter Cowley, both still on the course, must wait and see.

Seiji Ebihara who won the AIB Irish Seniors’ Championship earlier this year must also wait and see as he is seven over par for the 36 holes.

Jack Nicklaus will certainly make the cut at level par with one hole to play, Gary Player will be playing tomorrow and Sunday as he has finished at three-over but Arnold Palmer at 17-over is out of the tournament.