Gareth Wright takes share of lead at P&H Championship

“If you offered me six-under in the final round, I would sit in the clubhouse and drink coffee all day,” said the West Linton pro after setting up his title tilt in the 54-hole Tartan Tour event on the East Lothian coast.

Wright, winner of a qualifier for last year’s Paul Lawrie Match Play event on the European Tour at neighbouring Archerfield Links, illuminated his splendid second-day effort with an eagle at the third, where he coaxed a 6-iron to eight feet.

The Edinburgh-based Welshman had already hit his approach stiff at the first and continued to produce some sparkling golf before missing from five feet for a birdie at the 17th then three-putting the last to drop a shot.

“I had a solid golf game out there today – nothing too adventurous,” said the reigning Scottish PGA champion, who has PGA Cup hero Greig Hutcheon for company on nine-under, one ahead of Gavin Hay.

“It was also nice to play in a T-shirt for a change as the weather at all the other Order of Merit events so far this season has been brutal.”

Hutcheon had seen his opening effort – a 67 – matched by Musselburgh’s Cameron Marr, one of his playing partners. The pair were then separated by seven shots in the second round, but Hutcheon said he’d been impressed by the 25-year-old.

“There are a lot of good young players coming through, which is great, and Cameron is certainly one of them,” said the Tartan Tour’s leading light over the past decade.

Backing up Wright’s bid to land a Lothians success are Duddingston’s Ross Munro and Kings Acre-attached Andrew Oldcorn. After second-day 70s, they are tied for fifth on three-under – five off the lead.

On course for his best performance on the circuit, Marr is a shot further back, as is Neil Fenwick after a 68 that contained seven birdies.

Chris Doak, who is attached to the host club, is on one-under.