South star TJ Ford strides into the lead in Mullingar Scratch Trophy

TJ Ford (Co Sligo Golf Club) won the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch Golf Club last week. Picture: Niall O'Shea

Brand new shoes worked wonders for recently-crowned South of Ireland Amateur champion TJ Ford as he followed an opening 68 with a six-under 66 to take a three-stroke lead into the final two rounds of the Mullingar Scratch Trophy.

Bidding to become the first man to do the South-Mullingar double since Paul McGinley in 1991, the Co Sligo man (24) leads on 10-under par from Grange’s Jake Whelan (68-69) and Enniscorthy’s Paul Conroy (72-65) heading into Monday’s final 36 holes.