Des Smyth goes in to the final round of the Irish Seniors Open with his sights firmly set on becoming the first home winner in a decade after a fine three under par 68.
The man from Drogheda is one shot clear of the field at Ballyliffin Golf Club as he chases his first European Seniors Tour win since the Wentworth Senior Masters last year.
Smyth carded five birdies and two bogeys in blustery conditions on the links course in front of a healthy home crowd.
The 55-year old admitted the tournament was one he was eager to win and give the Irish support their first home champion since Joe McDermott’s victory at Woodbrook Golf Club in 1998.
Smyth said: ‘I’m up for it tomorrow. I’m hitting a lot of good shots. I’m still hitting some bad ones but I’m very much up for it.
‘This is a title I want to win more than anything. The only other one I would prefer is the Senior Open Championship but this is a big tournament for me and I’d love to win it.
‘When I won last year at Wentworth I wasn’t really playing that well and it picked my season up. When I then went back to America I had some good finishes. A win gives you confidence and I’ll be out there tomorrow trying my hardest.’
Smyth is a shot clear of England’s Gordon J Brand and Spain’s Juan Quiros, who are both on two under par after round of 70 and 69 respectively.
Scotland’s Bill Longmuir and Sam Torrance are a shot further back on one under par, while defending champion Costantino Rocca, of Italy is still in the frame on level par after a second successive round of 71.
