Life’s a bogey for Harper as he shares lead with Doak
Late lapses deny Lee from topping Northern Open leaderboard on his own
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Archerfield assistant Lee Harper missed a great chance to give himself a lead going into the final round of the Northern Open.
2005 champion Chris Doak and Harper start today’s final round at the Spey Valley course in Aviemore locked together on eight-under-par 208.
Harper seemed certain to lead the field when he was five under for his round with only three holes to play. But bogeys at the 16th and 18th cost him the outright lead.
Harper said: “Although I hit a good shot on the 16th I was left without a putt, and at the last I was through the green and never got up and down. I would have taken 69 on the first tee. I am well in the hunt and really looking forward to the final round.”
Overnight leader Chris Doak added another respectable two-under 70. He said: “I didn’t play as well today but at least I’m going into the last round on a share of the lead.
“I’ve known Lee for a while and I enjoyed his company. I got it to two under after seven but then bogeyed the eighth and ninth with a couple of mistakes but I birdied 13 and 15 to get me back to two under.
“It is all set up nicely for the final round. I hadn’t played this course before this week but it is great. Once everything beds in, it will be fantastic.”
Braid Hills professional Paul McKechnie carded the lowest round of the week, with seven birdies in his 66, giving him a share of third spot with County Tipperary’s Euan Little on 210.
Although McKechnie’s round is the lowest, it will not stand as an official record as preferred lies have been in operation this week.
McKechnie said: “I hit 17 of the greens in regulation today and was able to capitalise on the good shots I hit, which freed it up a bit for me.
“I feel I am getting to grips with the golf course, it is magnificent, and one of the best I have played.”
Peterculter’s Greig Hutcheon shot a 72 to leave him six shots behind the leading pair. He said: “I can’t seem to do anything at all and it’s just not happening for me on the greens. I gave myself heaps of chances, and could have had a good low score, but the putts just aren’t dropping. I’m getting frustrated.”
Paul Lawrie’s former coach Adam Hunter was the early clubhouse leader with an excellent 69 to end the day on 215.
Last year’s champion Murray Urquhart slumped to his second 77 in a row and is now well out of the reckoning on nine-over 225.
Former Italian Open champion Dean Robertson racked up a 10 at the fifth, losing two balls in the heather, but made a remarkable recovery to finish with a 76.
Grantown’s Chris Campbell, who plays out of Skibo, shot a 79, after an eight at the first hole. He is on 224.
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