George Murray able to relax as

AS the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final reaches a pressurised conclusion in southern Italy today, George Murray will cut a relaxed figure amid the tension as he looks to set the seal on a rewarding campaign.

The 27-year-old from Anstruther moved up into a share of tenth in the Challenge Tour showdown yesterday with a three-under 68 for a one-under 212 which left him five shots behind Australian leader Daniel Gaunt, who surged to the front with a 66.

Murray has already sealed promotion to next year's European Tour having manoeuvred himself into eighth place on the second-tier circuit's order of merit during a season illuminated by a maiden title in the Scottish Hydro Challenge.

While he is still targeting a strong finish today to cement his place in the top-ten on the money-list, which will secure a high category for 2011, the former Scottish Amateur champion is enjoying the fact that he is sitting in such a comfortable position and not scrapping for one of the 20 promotion places on offer.

"For some of the other players who are further down the order of merit, it must be horrible at this stage of the event," said Murray, who highlighted a tidy round with two birdie putts of 20-feet at the 13th and 16th. "I'm in a fortunate position where I can kind of relax here. But I've worked hard all season and played well."

Glasgow's Scott Jamieson, 11th on the rankings and also on course for the 2011 Race to Dubai, was left disappointed with a one-over 72 as he slipped off the pace with a one-over 214.

The 26-year-old started brightly with a birdie on the third but a quartet of bogeys hindered his progress, although he did repair some of the damage with a nine-iron to eight-feet on the last which led to a birdie-three.

Raymond Russell made sure he would have everything to play for over the closing 18-holes with a neatly-assembled 69 that moved him up into the leading 20 with a two-over 215.

The 38-year-old from Prestonpans is 21st on the money-list and some 1500 short of the promotion-winning top-20 but the former European Tour champion refused to embroil himself in the mathematics of his situation ahead of his biggest round of the season. "I'm not trying to think of the bigger picture," said Russell.

"I don't think it's worth looking at the order of merit and trying to work out all the possibilities until it's all done."

Jamie McLeary, whose challenge ended with a 79 in round two, endured another torrid day and covered his last eight holes in seven-over for 76 and a 226.

At the head of the field, Melbourne-born Gaunt, took another major step towards taking his place at the top table with a five-under round that moved him two clear of Bernd Wiesberger with a six-under 207.