Tournament leader Dave O’Donovan
Picture: Paul Coleman ‏@Coleman_Golf

Dave O’Donovan (Muskerry) leads the Lee Valley Mardyke Arena Senior Scratch Cup by three strokes going in to the final round.  O’Donovan was the only golfer to break par in over 120 rounds of golf.  His opening two under par 70 was followed by a 74, leaving him on a level par total of 144 for the two rounds. Gary O’Flaherty is the closest contender, he’s three shots back.  He bettered his opening 74 with a 73 in the afternoon.  O’Flaherty’s 73 was one of the low rounds of the afternoon an the wind and rain passed through the Clashure course.  John Hickey (Cork) and Blane Lynch (Ballinrobe) are also within three of the lead on 147.  Limerick’ Pat Murray was runner-up last year but his hopes must have been dented by an opening 78, that see’s him lie 8 shots off the lead on 152.  There are seven players within 6 shots of the lead and that’s probably the limit of those that will be in contention tomorrow afternoon.  Kinsale’s John Murphy put aside the disappointment of the Kinsale CS loss in Schools Senior Championship on Monday to shoot a 74 & 77.  He’s in a tie for 9th place seven shots off the lead.  The cut fell at 158 and the final round gets underway at 8.30am, with the leader going out at 10am. There was great anticipation this morning as the 72 golfers gathered in the clubhouse and then as they made their way to 18 tee boxes for the start of the first round.  The course was in great condition and the weather was better than expected for the first round.  Wind and showers passed through the course during the afternoon and the scores were 2-3 shots higher in the second round.  Ian O’Rourke (Royal Dublin) was the only golfer to march par in the second round. Leading Scores (Provisional information, subject to change)

Full Leaderboard (courtesy of Paul Coleman – @Coleman_Golf) Full Leaderboard in Lee Valley, courtesy of Paul Coleman (@Coleman_Golf)