Jordan takes the lead, but the Scots are dreaming of a home win

ST ANDREWS, September 27, 2019 – Jordan takes the lead, but the Scots are dreaming of a home win.

England’s Matthew Jordan moved confidently up in class from the Challenge Tour to take the halfway lead into the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The 23-year-old from the Wirral shot a 64 on the Old Course for a 36-hole total of 14-under-par and a one shot lead over Scotland’s Calum Hill, Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren and England’s Matthew Southgate.

The loudest cheers from the Scottish galleries came for three of their own, Hill, Russell Knox and Richie Ramsay, who all strengthened their challenge and offer the prospect of a first home win since Colin Montgomerie in 2005.

Hill, 24, who is currently No 1 on the Challenge Tour, is from nearby Kirkcaldy. He said: “It’s always nice to be at home and play in front of family and friends and it’s even better that I played well and they can enjoy themselves because of that.”

Hill, who received a sponsors’ invitation like Jordan, is trying not to get carried away as today he will be playing Carnoustie, the toughest of the three courses.

“Whatever my position right now, it’s probably slightly higher than those that have started on Carnoustie. After three rounds, I think you can look at your position a bit better and judge what you need to do for the final day.”

In a congested leaderboard, many will be expecting Justin Rose, two behind after a 64 at Kingsbarns, to be the main threat. He had an eagle and nine birdies, but it could have been better had he not had a double bogey at 11 and a bogey at 15.