Russell will give all for top 20 spot

Lothians golfer Raymond Russell was building up for one last promotion push in the closing round of the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final on Italy's Adriatic coast today.

The Prestonpans ace gave his hopes of gatecrashing the all-important top 20 on the Challenge Tour order of merit a boost in round three yesterday as he carved out a fine two-under 69.

That lifted Russell up into a share of 19th on the tournament leaderboard with a two-over aggregate of 215, behind 54-hole frontrunner, Daniel Gaunt of Australia, who hit a 66 for 207.

Russell, 21st on the money list going into this week's showdown, is around 1500 short of the European Tour card-winning places but the 1996 Cannes Open winner was refusing to look at the mathematics of the situation ahead of his last-ditch assault.

"I'm just going to do my best and try to not think of the bigger picture," said the 38-year-old. "I'll go out and do my best. If it's not good enough, then this one tournament will not have been the reason why I didn't make it. It's about a whole season."

One-under playing the 18th, Russell knocked a wedge to ten feet of the pin and rolled in the birdie putt to finish with a flourish.

He added: "I had four decent birdie chances on the front nine so I could've really got it going. But this was a good day."

Edinburgh-based Jamie McLeary, out of the running after a second round 79, endured another torrid day and covered his last eight holes in seven-over for a 76 and a 226.

Anstruther's George Murray, who has already secured his tour card for next year, was leading the home challenge in a tie for tenth on 212 after a three-under 68. Glasgow's Scott Jamieson had a 72 for 214.