Maynooth University student Allan Hill holds a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the R&A Student Tour Series at Le Golf National in France.
Hill is level par for 36 holes after a one-under 70 and lies ahead of Ignacio Mateo Fraga of the University of Exeter and St Andrews student Adam Charlton, the first-round leader.
However, there are nine players just two shots behind Hill in joint fourth place.
The Masters student in finance started with two bogeys and a birdie in his first four holes before settling down with four birdies between the 5th and 12th holes. A double bogey at the par-4 15th hole when he found water off the tee halted his progress.
A pitch and putt par at the last from 78 yards after finding the right rough off the tee got him into the clubhouse with his nose in front.
“I chipped in at the eighth hole and took my chances between the fifth and the 12th holes by making some nice putts,” Hill said. “At 15 I went for a splish splash by pushing my tee shot right, which was annoying. But my up and down at the last was pleasing.”
Hill, a former West of Ireland semi-finalist is known for handling tough courses well in the STS.
He holds the amateur course record at Troia Golf resort, returning a six-under-par 66 when he finished second in the 2020 STS – Portugal event. He made that year’s Arnold Palmer Cup team too.
“I’ve got good omens on tricky courses, and I’ve finished top five in these events along with that runner-up,” he added.
“I haven’t got over the finish line yet. Hopefully this week.”
The 23-year-old has played through a wrist injury the last two years which hasn’t been properly diagnosed.
‘It’s just structural damage from wear and tear,” he said. “It flared up this week, and I’m struggling a wee bit. I’m just trying to nurse it along with ice, and trying play some half decent golf along the way.”
Kate Lanigan trails Lorna McClymont by a shot heading into the final round in the women’s section.
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