England international Jamie Li and Northern Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey will take leads into the boys’ and girls’ final rounds of the 30th Telegraph BMW Junior Championship.


England international Jamie Li and Northern Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey will take leads into the boys’ and girls’ final rounds of the 30th Telegraph BMW Junior Championship at Portugal’s famous Quinta do Lago resort.

Mehaffey, of Royal County Down, shot an adventurous two under par 70 and will take a healthy eight-shot shot lead into Friday’s final round.

Overnight co-leader Eloise Healey had to be content with a 78, while Chloe Howard will make up the final group after posting a 76 for the second successive round on Quinta do Lago’s recently redesigned North Course.

Mehaffey, the world No 18 in the amateur rankings, recorded six birdies and four bogeys.

“I just want to go as low as I can and I really hope I can do a bogey-free round tomorrow,” the Banbridge-based junior said. “Once I think about what club I want I just go and hit it.”

Meanwhile Li, who held an outright overnight lead, had to battle for his two-shot advantage and will be joined in the final group by John Gough and Daniel List. Li and John Gough both posted 69.

The shot of the day belonged to List, of Wellington College and Wentworth Golf Club, who eagled the 12th after holing out from 150 yards.

Watching on was former England soccer captain Paul Ince, who is also List’s sporting hero.

“It would be huge to win,” said List. “I’d love to play in the BMW Pro-Am at Wentworth next year [the boys’ winner will tee up alongside the professionals] as it is my home course.

List, Callum Farr and Joe Bryce, the only Scot in the field, all shot 71s to finish five shots off the lead.