DAILY TELEGRAPH BMW JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS AT QUINTA DO LAGO

 CHESHIRE LAD HAS FOUR SHOTS TO 

MAKE UP OVER FINAL ROUND

NEWS RELEASE

Cheshire’s Rhys Nevin-Wharton is in contention to win this year's Telegraph BMW Junior boys' championship after fighting back brilliantly to lie four shots behind Portugal’s Vitor Lopes, the sponsors' invite.

Nevin-Wharton, the overnight leader with a 68, was out of sorts on the front nine today and admitted to “finding every bunker going”, but came back in five-under par for a closing 74 and a 36-hole tally of 142 in the three-round tournament.

The Sandiway member even had a putt on the 18th for a stunning 30 on the back nine to keep himself in contention behind the gifted Lopes, Portugal’s No.1, who fired a course record 68 on the recently-reopened North Course.

Twelve months ago, defending boys’ champion Ashton Turner overhauled sponsors’ invite Nathan Brader after he held a four-shot lead going into the final day.

Nevin-Wharton,  ninth in the European under-16 rankings, said he would be asking Turner for some advice as he heads into the final group alongside Lopes and Oliver Farrell, six shots off the lead.

“It would mean a lot to win this,” said Nevin-Wharton. “If I can sink some early birdie putts I will have a chance as I’ve played really well on the back nine both days.”

“It would be a great way to end my junior career to win such a prestigious event,” said Farrell, from Worcestershire.

In the girls’ championship, Lily Downs from North Yorkshire is beaming after carding a fine 78 in tough, wet conditions.

However, India Clyburn continues to impress and her 78 for 147 means she will start the final day with a six-stroke advantage.

Downs is benefiting as a returning finalist and given that she is a four handicapper – the highest in the nine-girl field – the 17-year-old has been one of the stand-out performers, admitting afterwards that she was now getting used to the TV cameras.

“Last year I finished last and played really badly,” said Downs. “I was so nervous but now I know what to expect.”

Second round leaderboards

BOYS

NAME	R1	R2	R3	TOTAL
Vitor Lopes	70	68		138
Rhys Nevin - Wharton	68	74		142
Oliver Farrell	73	71		144
Jamie Li	72	74		146
Ashton Turner	74	74		148
Luke Kelly	74	77		151
Harry Goddard	74	78		152
Hugo Kedzlie	72	80		152
Jack Singh-Brar	74	79		153
George Mullins	76	78		154
Alex Talbot	74	83		157
Kesley March	79	82		161

GIRLS

NAME	R1	R2	R3	TOTAL
India Clyburn	69	78		147
Lily Downs	75	78		153
Elizabeth Prior	74	83		157
Holly Morgan	80	78		158
Charlotte Ann Barrow	77	81		158
Louisa Brunt	78	82		160
Hollie Muse	82	80		162
Lauren Horsford	82	81		163
Katie Jane Stanley	78	86		164