Kavanagh One Clear In Peugeot International - 22/12/2007

JEREMY KAVANAGH shot a round of 66 on Thursday to give himself a one-shot lead going into the final round of The Peugeot International at Marriott Hollins Hall.

Kavanagh entered the second day of the PGA EuroPro Tour two shots behind overnight leader Ben Banks.

While Banks slipped to +2 with a 77 for his second round, Kavanagh shot a fine 66 to move clear of the field.

He included an eagle at the seventh hole and four birdies in his round, dropping just one shot at the 16th.

"I'm pleased with how things have gone so far," said Kavanagh. "It's been tough going but I played pretty well today.

"It's a matter of building on this on Friday and hopefully I can keep it up."

Kavanagh is a shot clear of Australian Daniel Gaunt and Trevose's Phil Rowe going into the final round.

Wildwood golfer Gaunt followed up a 69 with a 67 on Thursday, while Rowe shot a 66.

Gaunt, who has finished second twice in 2005, said: "I am used to the pressure but it's about time I went one better! I'm getting sick of coming second so hopefully I'll pull it off tomorrow."

Iain Pyman, the European Tour golfer from Leeds, and Erewash Valley's Mark Smith shot a second successive 69 to put themselves on -4.

Six players finished three-under-par, including Robert McGuirk, who was another player to shoot 66 in his bid for a second tournament victory of 2005.

A total of 61 players made the cut of +3, with the first group beginning their final round at 8am on Friday.