Scottish veteran Craig Lee and England's Sam Bairstow share the lead on nine under par heading into the final round of the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by the R&A.
On a blustery moving day at Newmachar Golf Club, the 46-year-old Scot’s round of 66, which included a chip-in eagle on the par five 16th hole, tied the lowest score of the day.
Lee, who is playing on a tournament invite is making his 60th Challenge Tour start which spans a twenty year career, now spends his time playing PGA events and Tartan Pro Tour events across the UK.
“It’s very hard to try stay competitive with these guys, the distances they hit it," he said. "This is a course that I can compete on with how fiddly the tee shots are and guys not hitting many drivers.”
“I’ve got a different agenda than these guys, They’re trying to get onto the DP World Tour and I’m gearing up for the Seniors Tour but whatever I’m doing is clearly working.”
Lee will play three events on the DP World Tour starting with next week’s ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics before starts at the Horizon Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship.
“I am really fortunate with my schedule and it’s nice to be playing well with some exciting events in the next few weeks.”
Sam Bairstow had earlier set the target with a flawless bogey-free 66 which included five birdies. Playing in his first season since turning professional, he admits it’s been a rookie year full of learnings.
“It’s a lot more golf than I played as an amateur," he said. "With lots of travel, I’ve learnt to manage my energy a lot better. I was playing a lot more practice rounds earlier in the year. I give myself a lot more rest now.”
