Red-hot Murphy strides into contention

Gary Murphy, without a win in more than 200 European Tour events, shares the lead in the Irish Open after starting his final round with four birdies in seven holes at Adare Manor today.

The Kilkenny golfer, trying to become the second successive home winner after Padraig Harrington’s triumph last year, is eight under and shared top spot with England’s Richard Finch and Welshman Bradley Dredge, who after taking a one-shot lead into the day three-putted the first for bogey.