John Doyle produced his lowest round of the week to date to push his way into the top five at the Brabazon Trophy at Moortown Golf Club in Yorkshire.
The Fota Island teenager shot a four-under 67 to take sole possession of fifth place. Birdies on one, seven and eight got him to the turn at three-under, and he added another on the 10th. He wouldn’t get to -5 on the day, but after dropping a shot on the par-4 16th, he got it back with a birdie on the par-3 17th and he is well-placed for a final round assault on a podium finish.
He’s also in pole position to claim the George Henriques Salver, awarded to the leading GB&I player under the age of 20, with a one-stroke lead over Wentworth’s Kris Kim.
Matthew McClean on three-under and tied for 16th is next best of the Irish in the main event, with Isaac Oliver a shot behind in a share of 22nd but tied for fourth in the Salver race.
2025 Amateur Championship runner-up Gavin Tiernan is the only other Irishman in red figures after a level-par 71 left him on one-under, while Paul Coughlan shot a 76 to end the day on +5 and Mark Cadden posted a 75 for a six-over tally.
Tom Osborne and Eliot Baker lead the way at the top after fine Saturday showings at Moortown Golf Club.
Playing in the final group, the England Golf Men’s Squad duo went toe-to-toe throughout with Baker gaining ground on day three, thanks to an eagle on the first and five birdies.
Yorkshireman Osborne continued his scintillating form as his bogey-free round of 69 (-2) sees him sit five clear of Baker heading into Sunday’s final round.
Baker’s -4 (67) was the joint-best score of the day, with Melvin Muller (Netherlands), Carl-Hugo Eriksson (Sweden), Caolan Burford (Wales), and Doyle also enjoying the same score..
Muller’s knock sees him sit third on -9, two back of Baker and seven back from Osborne, while Oliver Lewis-Perkins (Mid Kent) is fourth on -8.
Osborne said: “It’s interesting playing stroke play against someone you play so much match play and team stuff with. At the same time you feel comfortable though because it’s one of your mates and I’d much rather be paired with him than not, so I can keep an eye on what he’s doing!
“I was a bit defensive in some areas and I could have gone at a few more pins so I think I need to bear that in mind tomorrow and build on that.”
Baker added: “It’s always tough against Tom, we’ve had a couple of battles already this year – unfortunately I was on the wrong end of one at the Spanish Amateur! He’s a solid player, he doesn’t do a lot wrong and he’s not giving much away.
“Four-under was a good score today, I had a lot of up-and-downs and holed some nice putts – I chipped in today as well as twice yesterday which is always helpful!
“I’ve just got to play my game really – I know if he goes out there and plays the way he has been it’s almost impossible to chase him, but perhaps be a bit more aggressive and try and make birdies everywhere and see what happens.”
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