PETER LAWRIE lies just four strokes off the lead going into today's third round of the European Amateur Golf Championship in Sweden.

The Irish champion returned a two-over-par 73 at Karlstad yesterday for a half-way total of 142, level par.

Portmarnock's Noel Fox, improved on his opening round 72 by one stroke yesterday and is also very much in the hunt on 143, with Walker Cup player Jody Fanagan a further stroke back.

Scottish Walker Cup veteran, Barclay Howard came in with a 67 to move to the top of the leader board on 138 alongside Christian Aronsen of Norway, Holland's Robert Derksen, and Daniel Olssen of Sweden.