Craig Lee is on course to join an elite band of double winners on the Tartan Tour heading into the closing round of the £55,000 Gleneagles Scottish PGA championship
After the start to round three was delayed by three hours due to early morning fog, the 32-year-old from Stirling, who shared the lead at the halfway stage, posted a one-under-par 71 over the PGA Centenary layout for a six-under aggregate of 210 and a one shot lead over David Orr and double national champion Colin Gillies
Lee, who played on the European Tour last season, won the prestigious Northern Open at Spey Valley back in May and could become only the fifth player to win both the domestic circuit's major crowns in the same season if he completes the job in Perthshire today.
"It would be awesome to win the two 72-holers," said Lee, who would join a distinguished list of dual champions which includes former Ryder Cup players Harry Bannerman, Eric Brown and John Panton as well as Musselburgh stalwart Fraser Mann.
"There are not many players who have done and it would be a dream for me.
"Today was one of those rounds that I birdied the hard holes and bogied the easy ones.
But I'm still at the top and I'd rather be there than four or five behind."
Gillies, in his 25th year as a professional, mounted a third round charge with a four-under 68 for a five-under 211 as his challenge for a third Scottish title gathered pace.
The 42-year-old, who has won over 120 events on the Tartan Tour and is the circuit's all-time leading money winner, holed crucial birdie putts from 12 and 18 feet respectively at the 16th and 18th to move to within striking distance of frontrunner Lee.
"It's good to be involved at the top again," said Gillies, who has struggled with a back injury in recent years.
"The injury is ok now and this is the kind of pressure you enjoy. When you're struggling to compete, as I was with my back, it's no fun."
Gillies was joined on the five-under mark by East Renfrewshire pro Orr, who birdied his final three holes in a 69 to move into the title race.
Mark King, the former Scottish PGA matchplay champion, carded a 72 to sit in fourth place on 212 while Fraser Mann, the last last player to win both the Northern Open and the Scottish PGA in the same year back in 2002, shot a 68 for 214 to share fifth.
Defending champion Jason McCreadie finished on a 215 after a 72.
27 June, 2009