Golf

Stuart Grehan in contention for South African Strokeplay title

Tullamore man just one shot behind joint leaders prior to final round

Stuart Grehan: lies 16 under par at Blue Valley before his final round. Photograph: Pat Cashman
Stuart Grehan: lies 16 under par at Blue Valley before his final round. Photograph: Pat Cashman
Thu Feb 04 2016 - 19:15

Tullamore's Stuart Grehan is in contention for a stunning South African Strokeplay Championship victory as he heads into this morning's final round at Blue Valley just one stroke off the lead.

The 23-year-old Maynooth University scholar is 16-under par after rounds of 70, 62, 68 and begins round four in third, one shot back on tied leaders Scotland's Ewan Ferguson and home favourite Jason Smith.

Grehan had five birdies and a bogey in his four-under par 68 yesterday, which followed on from his sensational second round 10-under total of 62 which, as well as marking a new career best, also set a new course record.

Walker Cup star Jack Hume – who was tied for third at the Gauteng North Amateur last week – is tied for eighth and looks set for another decent finish.

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The Naas man is six strokes back on 11-under par after he also signed for a third round 68.

Meanwhile Rowan Lester slipped down the field after his two-over par 74 yesterday and is tied for 17th on eight-under. Alex Gleeson (Castle) and Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) are tied for 25th on seven-under while Dermot McElroy (Ballymena) and Robin Dawson (Faithlegg) are both five-under and tied 34th.