Bennett climbs leaderboard at San Roque

Englishman Warren Bennett began his climb up the leaderboard during the third round of the European Tour’s qualifying school finals at San Roque this morning.

The 33-year-old, who won the tour’s Scottish PGA championship in 1999, started the day down in 132nd place on eight over but had hauled himself up to three over after 12 holes.

Bennett, the leading amateur in the 1994 British Open championship, made a flying start with an eagle and two birdies in the first three holes.

The former British Youths champion bogeyed the sixth but responded with further birdies at the ninth and 10th to keep his challenge for one of the 35 tour cards on course.

At the head of the field, Norwegian Lars Petter Brovold continued the form which saw him post a brilliant 61 during Friday’s second round.

The 25-year-old picked up two birdies in his first six holes to improve to six under par.

England’s Simon Wakefield continued to lead the way having picked up a stroke at the second to go to seven under but double European Tour winner Mark Mouland of Wales had slipped back to one under after a birdie on his first hole was followed by a bogey and a double bogey.