John Murphy (Kinsale, Maynooth University) continued his good form as he produced to rounds of 68 and 64 to lead the R&A Scholars Tournament in St Andrews.  Both of today’s rounds were played on The Eden Course and Murphy bagged no less than 12 birdies in his 36 holes.  Murphy (-8) shot the low round of the afternoon and holds a one shot lead as he goes into tomorrow’s final round.  The final round takes place on the fabled Old Course, and Murphy will have the honour of playing in the final group.   Murphy will be joined by Cloe Ryan (UCD) who won the ladies section in 2016.  Sinead Sexton and Molly Dowling are in the top five and in the mens section Stuart Grehan is three of the lead and Robin Dawson is a further to shots back.  Murphy won the Munster Students Championship in Cork Golf Club last week, posting the best score over the first 36 holes in the weather affected tournament.

Contested over 54 holes at the Eden and Old Courses, the two-day tournament offers the leading men’s player a place on the European Arnold Palmer Cup team to face the USA, with the leading women’s player receiving a starting place at a Ladies European Tour event.  The tournament features student golfers who receive financial assistance from The R&A to enable them to continue to play competitive golf while completing their studies. Previous scholars include four-time winner on the PGA Tour Hideki Matsuyama, European Ryder Cup player Francesco Molinari and former Women’s British Open champion and Solheim Cup player, Catriona Matthew.

Follow live scoring for the third round here