Eggo the man to beat on final day

BOBBY EGGO has put himself within touching distance of his umpteenth Credit Suisse Trophy win. Having started the 72-hole scratch competition in inauspicious fashion with opening rounds of 73 and 75, Guernsey's best ever player came to the party in style yesterday with the only gross under par round on day three of the local 'major'.

And his 69 was the best handed in by a huge five shots as rain soaked those players on the L'Ancresse links through the afternoon.

His round was made all the more remarkable by the fact that he began with two bogey fives.

A two on the par three third was then quickly wiped out by another bogey at five, but back-to-back birdies on six and seven followed by two par fours meant that Eggo reached the turn in level par 35.

His back nine was also a mixed bag.

A three at the 10th was an excellent start and three more pars kept him in good shape before a seven at the long 14th had him over par once more.

But Eggo responded as he so often does, with consecutive birdies on the next two holes before finishing off with two closing pars.

That has left him on a three round total of 217, one ahead of halfway leader Nigel Vaudin, who continued his consistent week with a 74.

He was one of three to card such a score along with Geoff King and Jeff Domaille.

King's effort translated into a fine net 69 as he was one of only two players to break par in the off handicap UV Trophy.

The best of the day, though, came from new competition leader Richard Wellfair, who signed for a net 67.

The 16-handicapper enjoyed a steady round with the highlight being a birdie three on the 16th on his way to a gross 83 having gone out in 40.

Wellfair, who had net scores of 69 and 73 on the first two days, takes a three shot lead into the final round from Niall Counihan with previous leader Tom Le Huray not enjoying the conditions and slipping to a gross 83, net 78.

That left the junior club captain tied for fourth with Steve Birkett on 214.