Moriarty in pole position at Longhirst Hall

Colm Moriarty will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Sweetspot Classic after shooting a second-round 65, five-under-par, in the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour event at Longhirst Hall in Northumberland.

The Irishman is eight-under for the 36 holes so far with Paul McKechnie, winner at Moray last month, second on seven-under after signing for a four-under 66.

Zack Saltman began the day with a one-stroke lead but is now two behind after a one-over-par second round on the par-70 Lakes Course at Longhirst.

Moriarty (Glasson Hotel and Golf Club) was three-under after the first round and got his second 18 underway with three consecutive birdies from the first. A bogey on the seventh was the first of two blemishes, with a shot also dropped on the 17th.

However, an eagle on the par-four 11th and birdies at 14 and 18 took Moriarty to 66 and a one-stroke lead ahead of today’s third and final round.

McKechnie (Braid Hills Golf Centre) also began day two three-under-par, and shot five birdies and one bogey to move to second on the leaderboard.

Saltman (Archerfield Links) had shot a course-record 63 for his opening round but lost his lead with a double bogey on the fourth. A birdie on the par-three 10th was quickly cancelled out with a bogey at 11, but a second birdie of the round came on the 16th.

George Woolgar (Capitalservices) goes into the final round three off the lead on five-under-par with rounds of 67 and 68. Daniel Wardrop (Didsbury Golf Club) completes the top five on four-under.

A cut to the leading 50 players plus ties has now been made, with all golfers with a 36-hole score of four-over-par or better proceeding to play the final round, after which the winner will collect £10,000 and a brand new Motocaddy trolley.

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Spectator entry to the event is free. A highlights programme of the tournament will be shown on Sky Sports on Tuesday, August 27, repeated three times on Wednesday, August 28.