DORSET star Kevin Spurgeon remained on course for a top-three finish in the prestigious PGA Seniors Championship with a two-over-par 74 at Slaley Hall this afternoon.

Spurgeon, playing in the penultimate group with Noel Ratcliffe and Bob Cameron, carded three birdies on the demanding Hunting Course.

His red figures came at the fourth, 15th and 17th holes, while dropped shots at the second, fifth and 16th were compounded by a double bogey at the ninth.

The 56-year-old Ferndown touring professional goes into tomorrow’s final round in a five-way tie for third place on level par – nine shots behind runaway leader Andrew Oldcorn.

He shares third place with Ratcliffe, Cameron, Mike Harwood and Carl Mason. Gordon Brand Junior is in second place on four-under-par.

Spurgeon began the day in a tie for fifth place after rounds of 73 and 69. The halfway cut mark on Friday was eight over par which highlighted the difficult playing conditions.

Spurgeon’s heroics are all the more remarkable considering he has been suffering with a strained ligament in his left arm.