Scottish Open: Oldcorn shows Dutch of class in bid for first senior triumph

Published on Friday 9 July 2010 17:30

ANDREW Oldcorn will take a two stroke lead into the final round of the Van Lanschot Senior Open after the Scot played himself into contention to become the seventh maiden winner of the 2010 European Senior Tour season.

The 2001 PGA Championship winner fired a superb 66 to move to nine under par for the tournament at The Royal Haagsche Golf and Country Club in The Netherlands.

Oldcorn posted seven birdies, and just the one bogey when he three putted the 11th hole, to move clear of Argentine Luis Carbonetti, who carded a 68, and compatriot Gordon Brand Jnr, who is a further stroke back after a 66.

After turning 50 in March, Oldcorn has made a solid start to life on the Senior Tour, finishing as leading European in the US Senior PGA Championship in tied eighth place and posting three other top ten finishes in six appearances.

However today's final round in The Hague will be the first time he has been in the final group and firmly in contention to capture some silverware.

On the European Challenge Tour, six birdies apiece saw the Scottish duo of Jamie McLeary and Andrew McArthur play themselves right into contention on day three of the ALLIANZ Golf Open de Lyon.

In Illinois, defending champion Steve Stricker took over the lead from Paul Goydos at the John Deere Classic. Stricker followed an opening 11-under-par 60 at TPC Deere Run with a five-under second-round 66.

A birdie on her only hole of the day was enough to hand Sweden's Sophie Gustafson the overnight lead at Oakmont as bad weather forced a suspension of the second round of the US Women's Open in Pennsylvania.

Scotland's Mhairi McKay had begun the day just two shots off the pace in Pennsylvania and was in the same position, two over for the round and tournament after five holes when play was suspended. Women's British Open champion Catriona Matthew of Scotland was at 10 over, one over for the day after two holes with the project cut line at 11 over par.

Scottish Curtis Cup player Sally Watson was right on the mark with two holes to play of her second round but Welsh pair Becky Morgan and Becky Brewerton and Scotland's Janice Moodie looked set to be heading home early.

Brewerton, after 17 holes, and Morgan (82) were both at 17 over par while Moodie was 15 over after an 86.