US TOUR:American Kenny Perry took the clubhouse lead at the Atlanta Classic yesterday with his three-under-par round of 69 taking him to nine-under overall.
The 47-year-old Perry, who was one of five players tied for the lead on six under overnight, bogeyed the fourth but then produced four birdies to give himself a two-shot advantage over compatriot Heath Slocum.
Perry has had a gruelling 24 hours - his round on Thursday was affected by heavy rain from start to finish and then he was up early for a 7.20 start which was delayed by 40 minutes due to rain.
"It was a lot easier to play those early rounds when I was 24 or 25 years old," said Perry.
Heath Slocum added a 68 to his opening 69 for 137, while Jack Johnson was two shots further back on 139 after a 70.
CHALLENGE TOUR:England's Seve Benson climbed off his sick bed to shoot an incredible course record ten under par 62 to lead by four shots going into the final round of the European Challenge Tour's Piemonte Open.
The joint overnight leader had been a doubtful starter after suffering from a fever and muscle pain but he battled on gallantly to card 11 birdies and just one bogey to finish on 17-under-par 199.
It was a remarkable performance from the 21-year-old, who is only playing in his first Challenge Tour season
The Irish trio of Stephen Browne, Gareth Maybin and Michael McGeady all missed the cut. Browne and Maybin were just one shot off the mark on 145 after shooting 72 and 74 respectively. McGeady was three shot back on 148 after a 74.
AMATEUR:Paul Cutler fired himself into contention in the English Open Strokeplay championship for the Brabazon Trophy at Trevose in Cornwall yesterday.
The 20-year-old from Portstewart shot a five-under-par 67 in the opening round to lie just three strokes off the pace set by 22-year-old French international David Antonelli. Niall Kearney returned a two-under-par 70.
