Hutcheon takes Bowood lead

Scotsman Greig Hutcheon took the lead of the Charles Church Championship after a third-round 68 at Bowood.

The 29-year-old hit an 11-under-par 205, a stroke ahead of Irishman Gary Murphy who returned a best-of-the-day 66, and two clear of the English duo of Andrew Sherborne and John Morgan.

Although Morgan led by three going into the round, that lead disappeared within two holes as he bogeyed the first while Hutcheon opened with two birdies.

Morgan failed to find his form of the opening two days and struggled to a 73, but Hutcheon ran in five birdies, his final one at the 16th giving him the lead.

Murphy, from Kilkenny, had seven birdies in his 66 and credited much of his success to his caddie, Matthew Swales.

‘‘I’m struggling to read the lines but he is spot on,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ll leave them to him again tomorrow.’’

Local favourites Morgan and Sherborne drew the largest support and Sherborne gave them plenty to cheer with six birdies in his 67.

‘‘The aim today was to get back into contention and have a chance of victory tomorrow,’’ he said.

‘‘Curiously, I’ve never played well at Bowood so this was a welcome change and I missed chances from 10 and 12 feet on the final two greens.’’