Broadhurst leads at Forest of Arden

England’s Paul Broadhurst, without a European tour victory for nine years, thought of his six-year-old son Sam tonight after charging into the lead with a round to go in the British Masters at the Forest of Arden.

On a day when most others struggled the 38-year-old from nearby Atherstone had an incredible eight birdies for a best-of-the-day 66 that put him one in front of 43-year-old Barry Lane, whose last victory was in 1994, and Argentina’s Eduardo Romero, at 49 trying to become the oldest winner in tour history.

Three months ago former Ryder Cup player Broadhurst was in a supermarket queue when someone recognised him and tapped him on the shoulder.

“My dad used to be a really good golfer,” young Sam told the man.

Now father-of-three Broadhurst, who lost his tour card three years ago and needed two attempts to get it back, has the perfect platform to show that he still is.

The first prize tomorrow is £266,660 (€402,000), nearly three times his previous biggest cheque for winning the 1995 French Open.

Five behind at the start of the round, Broadhurst packed his eight birdies into the first 14 holes, then parred the remainder for an 11 under par total of 205.

Broadhurst, a member of the 1991 Ryder Cup team and unbeaten at Kiawah Island, faced a make-or-break moment at the qualifying school in 2002.

“I had to have a serious think about what to do. I wasn’t enjoying the game, but I’m no good at anything else,” he added.

“If I hadn’t made it through I probably would have given the Challenge Tour one year to try to scrap a living.

“I’ve had a few barren years, so I’m not like the superstars who can retire. I’m playing for a living.”

Lane’s Ryder Cup appearance was at The Belfry in 1993 and next week in China brings up his 500th tour appearance.

His body is showing signs of the thousands of miles of walking he has done over the past two decades.

The Henley-based player did not know until he woke up on Thursday whether he would even be able to play because of a right knee injury suffered in Italy last Sunday, while he has a four-year-old problem with his left knee – and blisters.

Romero, as was the case after two rounds, would have been in the lead but for the two-stroke penalty he received after his ball moved as he was about to putt on the 14th green on Friday.

While playing partner Lee Westwood fell back with bogeys at the ninth, 10th and 13th, the South American stayed right in the thick of things.