Richardson & Whiffin A Shot Clear - 24/07/2007

MATTHEW RICHARDSON and Sean Whiffin will share a one-shot lead going into the final round of The PartyPoker.com International Open at Collingtree Park.

The duo opened with rounds of 69 on Wednesday, and followed that up with a 71 on the second day of the PGA EuroPro Tour event.

Buckinghamshire's highly-rated Richardson hit four birdies but dropped shots on the fifth, with a double bogey, and at the 18th, for the second successive day.

Enfield golfer Whiffin recorded four birdies and three bogeys in his 71 to join Richardson at four-under-par.

Andrew Willey and Daniel Greenwood kept the pressure on with rounds of 71 on Thursday to move out to -3, and they are joined by Asian Tour player Simon Griffiths, who shot six birdies in a round of 68.

That score was matched by Michael Nesbit, who moved out to two-under-par alongside Ben Welch (69,73), Sandeep Grewal (73,69), Chris Evans (71,71) and Lee Wood (72,70).

Yasin Ali, David Clark and Lee Walker are a further shot behind, while Paul Doherty's faultless round of 67 - the best of the day - helped him to make the cut, moving to one-over-par for the event.

Exactly 50 players made the cut and will contest the third and final round on Friday, playing for a £40,000 prize fund.

Tournament officials also confirmed that the tee on the tricky 18th will be moved forward around 30 feet.

"The 18th has proved to be by far the hardest hole on the course in the opening two days," revealed Tournament Director Kevin Feeney.

"From 330 attempts over the two days, just 19 players have made a birdie, and the average for the hole is 5.83.

"Moving the tee forward will tempt players to try and hit the island green with their second shot and should make for a very exciting final day."