Papadatos holds slender GRENKE Championship lead

Dimitrios Papadatos will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the GRENKE Championship at Cumberwell Park Golf Club.

The Australian shot a second-round 66, five under par, to lead the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event on -13. Sam Robertshawe (Puttenham Constr./Southwood GC; 68, 62) and Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye Golf Club; 69, 62) both made new course record scores of 62, nine under par. Robertshawe shares second on -12 with Neil Raymond (Corhampton Golf Club; 65, 65) while Caldwell is fourth, two off the lead.

Papadatos began the day at the top of the leaderboard on eight under, and ended it there with a five under for round two. His only blemish was a bogey at the 15^th.

“The courses suits me pretty well,” said Papadatos. “If you are driving it straight you can take advantage of it and I am driving it well. There hasn’t been any wind today and the greens are a good speed. I am happy with a five under but that’s the score I should have shot in these conditions.

“I’ll go out there and try and extend the lead with a good start in the final round. I don’t know what conditions will be but I’d say -20 would be enough to win it. There are a few par fives you can take advantage of.

“I have signed up with ISM and have come to Europe to play some of this and to try and do something on the Challenge Tour. There are some good golfers over here, the standard is very good – the cut here is five under.”

The GRENKE Championship continues with the final round on Friday. A cut to the leading 50 professionals and ties has now been made with all those five under par and better advancing to the final round, after which the winner will take home a £10,000 cheque from the £50,000 prize fund.

Spectator entry is free of charge and live scoring can be found at www.europrotour.com. Highlights of the GRENKE Championship will air on Sky Sports on Tuesday, July 11.