Lee hits form at the right time in Devon - 17/06/2010

CRAIG Lee has produced the best round of the Dunlop Masters to be in contention for the £10,000 winner’s prize.

Lee (Aspire Golf Centre) fired a score of seven-under on day two to take the lead in the latest PGA EuroPro Tour at Bovey Castle in Devon. Scotsman Lee started the tournament poorly with a double bogey on his first hole yesterday before recovering to end the first day on two-under.

But he then performed much better on Thursday with a sensational front nine that saw him claim birdies on seven of the first nine holes. However, he does not have an outright lead as Sean Doherty (Bury GC) is also on nine-under after a flawless round included birdies at holes two, three, nine, ten, 11 and 12.

Moortown’s Nick McCarthy was well placed going into the final day last week at Longhirst Hall before his hopes ended with a poor third round. But a score of four-under, his second in two days, has again put him in contention and he is currently one shot behind Lee and Doherty on eight-under.

Craig Lee. Picture: Lawrence Lustig

Graham Clark (Doncaster GC) and Matt Allen started the day in joint first position after both going round in five-under on Wednesday.

However, both plummeted down the leaderboard as their title hopes appeared to have faded.

Clark claimed four bogeys on the opening ten holes, while Allen was left rueing double bogeys at the fifth and 12th.

Order of merit leader Daniel Gaunt is on course for another top ten finish as he sits on four-under after a round of three-under on Thursday.

The final day is on Friday where the top 50 players plus ties will play a final round.