Carlsson leads Challenge of Ireland

Swede Magnus A Carlsson opened up a two shot lead as Birr’s Justin Kehoe and Antrim’s Gareth Maybin fell off the pace in the €150,000 Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club today.

Just six shots behind overnight, Kehoe birdied three of his first six holes to move to within a shot of the lead on five under par.

But six dropped shots in the space of seven holes in a homeward run of 41 saw him sign for a disappointing 75 that left him nine strokes behind Carlsson on one over par.

Ulsterman Maybin is now Ireland's leading contender after a battling 72 left him six off the pace on two under par.

Maybin said: “I didn’t really play that great today but I knocked it round and got up and down. It was good for my character to get up and down and make pars the way I did, but I didn’t hit it well.

“To win from here I need a low one tomorrow and probably a bit of help. I’ve taken up Membership of the Challenge Tour so that my money counts on the Rankings. My goal is to make top 10 and get into Scotland next week.”

Leader Carlsson, 26, fired four birdies and just one bogey in a 69 to lead by two shots on eight-under par from overnight leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France, who signed for a 74.

Nine players are within five strokes of the lead with Welshman Liam Bond, Norway’s Peter Kaensche, Spain’s Alvaro Velasco and Swede Lief Westerberg just three off the pace.

Seeking his maiden win on Sunday, Carlsson said: "Tomorrow I just have to keep the ball in play and more or less play for par. If I can do that the chances to make birdies will come eventually. I am in a good position – the guys behind me have to come at me.

"I will probably have some nerves tomorrow, especially on the first tee, but as long as I get going then I am sure I will settle down once I am out there."

Complete third round scores from the Challenge of Ireland presented by Glasson, the Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club, 7159 yard par 72:

208 MA Carlsson (Swe) 69 70 69;

210 M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 63 73 74;

211 L Bond (Wal) 73 66 72; P Kaensche (Nor) 70 73 68; A Velasco (Esp) 69 72 70; L Westerberg (Swe) 71 69 71;

212 F Widmark (Swe) 67 72 73; J Zapata (Arg) 69 73 70; M Cort (Eng) 70 73 69;

213 M Persson (Swe) 71 72 70;

214 G Maybin (Irl) 69 73 72; T Dykes (Wal) 68 74 72;

215 M Lundberg (Swe) 70 72 73; R Kakko (Fin) 71 75 69; O Whiteley (Eng) 72 75 68; O Bergman (Swe) 71 73 71; S Davis (Eng) 67 77 71; 216 P Baker (Eng) 72 73 71; S Manley (Wal) 70 71 75; G Acosta (Arg) 73 74 69;

217 R O'Hanlon (Eng) 71 75 71; D Mortimer (Irl) 72 71 74; J Mellor (Eng) 70 73 74; S Scahill (Nzl) 69 77 71; J Kehoe (Irl) 69 73 75; A McArthur (Sco) 64 78 75; J Abbate (Arg) 71 76 70; A Butterfield (Eng) 74 69 74;

218 A Mellor (Eng) 74 69 75; J Little (Eng) 70 74 74; C Smith (Wal) 72 75 71; M Murphy (Irl) 67 78 73; C Moriarty (Irl) 72 74 72; T Nielsen (Den) 72 75 71; M Wiegele (Aut) 70 75 73; G Murray (Sco) 71 74 73;

219 S Henderson (Sco) 72 72 75; W Bladon (Eng) 68 79 72; A Maestroni (Ita) 70 75 74; G Paddison (Nzl) 71 72 76;

220 M Hoey (Nir) 74 73 73; M Campbell (Irl) 73 74 73; R Eyraud (Fra) 76 71 73; G Cullen (Irl) 70 76 74; C Brazillier (Fra) 70 77 73; 221 M Richardson (Eng) 70 75 76; F Aguilar (Chi) 71 76 74; F Valera (Esp) 71 71 79; P Nilbrink (Nor) 71 76 74; F Zanotti (Par) 72 75 74; J E Morgan (Eng) 69 77 75;

222 M Dieu (Fra) 71 75 76; K Staunton (Eng) 71 76 75; D De Vooght (Bel) 67 78 77;

223 E Ramsay (Sco) 74 72 77; I Van Weerelt (Ned) 69 76 78; L Walker (Irl) 72 75 76; G Clark (Eng) 73 71 79; J Doherty (Sco) 73 72 78; 224 D Dixon (Eng) 74 73 77; R McGowan (Eng) 75 72 77.