Hugh Smyth heads Irish challenge in El Saler
Hugh Smyth (Mourne) splashes out at the Irish Seniors Amateur Open Championship at County Tipperary Golf Club in 2017. Picture by Pat Cashman

Hugh Smyth (Mourne) splashes out at the Irish Seniors Amateur Open Championship at County Tipperary Golf Club in 2017. Picture by Pat Cashman

Mourne's Hugh Smyth is nine shots off the lead heading into today's final round of the Spanish International Senior Amateur Championship at El Saler.

The Seniors International, who will dispute a playoff for the Spanish Greensomes title alongside partner Maurice Kelly at the end of play today after it was postponed on Thursday, added a 77 to his opening 78 to sit alone in 10th place on 11-over 155.

Spain's Ignacio Gonzalez Martinez carded a two-under 70 to lead by two strokes on two-over 146 from France's Pierre Louhaigne and Italy's Gianluca Bolla.

All six Irish players made the cut with George Wilson tied 18th on 157 (77-80), Douglas' Karl Bornemann tied 24th on 158 (80-78), Maurice Kelly tied 36th on 161 (79-82) and Mick Ahern tied 44th on 162 (79-83).

Portmarnock's Adrian Morrow made the top 60 and ties on the cut mark, tied for 56th after rounds of 79 and 85.

Smyth and Kelly shot Maurice Kelly shot 146 (72-74) in the 36-hole Spanish Seniors Greensomes Championship earlier this week to tie with Holland's Douglas Williams, and England's Stephen East (73-73) with the title playoff postponed until after play in the individual competition.

Results