Mark Kerr sitting pretty in Lawrie event

UNDERDOG Mark Kerr was hoping to spring a surprise in today's final round of the £25,000 Paul Lawrie Invitational at Deeside.

The Murrayfield man retained a share of the lead after moving to eight-under with a second-round 65 in the former Open champion's inaugural event on the outskirts of Aberdeen. And he was determined to come out on top in a potential last-day shoot-out with Kenny Ferrie, Andrew McArthur and Lawrie himself.

"I know I'm going to be the underdog but that doesn't bother me," said Kerr of sharing the lead with Ferrie and McArthur with a round to go. "Due to the fact I haven't played too much this year or even practised due to my PGA exams, I honestly didn't expect too much this week. But it would be nice to get the monkey off my back."

That was reference to the 2006 Lothians Championship runner-up twice coming close to landing top Tartan Tour titles in recent seasons. Two years ago, he led the Northern Open before finishing fourth then, last October, he was out in front in the Scottish PGA Championship before finishing third. Now the 29-year-old is back on the brink of a maiden win in the paid ranks.

Kerr looked to be the only Lothians hope of securing the 4,000 top prize in the new Tartan Tour event.

Paul McKechnie, who is attached to Braid Hills, was seven off the pace heading into the final round on 139. And, among those in a group a further two shots back, David Patrick and Gareth Wright faced an even bigger mountain to climb in their bid to catch the three leaders.

The top 30 and ties made the cut for the final circuit, with Edinburgh Golf Centre's Craig Gordon among those who made it right on the mark - 143 - after a nervous wait.