Hoey in with chance of third title

Michael Hoey is on course for his third Challenge Tour title at the Banque Populaire Moroccan Classic.

The Ulsterman hit a one under par 71 at the El Jadida Sofitel Golf Resort to trail Scotland’s Greig Hutcheon by a shot.

Hutcheon, 35, is attempting to win the event for the second time in five years after a third round 70 saw him move into the lead on nine under par 207.

Hoey is tied for second with former PGA Tour player John E Morgan of England, who carded the day’s best round, a five under par 67, to join him on eight under par 208.
 
“I have my name on the trophy once and it would be great to have it there again after tomorrow,” said Hutcheon. “I know how to win and nobody in the field is better placed than me to triumph so I will give it my best shot.”
 
Morgan, who was tied for 15th at the start of the day, ignited his challenge with a birdie four at the 11th followed by an eagle two at the 321 yard 12th but failed to join Hutcheon at the top of the pile when he dropped a shot late on.
 
However the 30 year old from Bristol is still in good position to add to his only previous Challenge Tour title which came when he captured the Challenge Tour Championship crown in 2002.
  
Dubliner Stephen Browne is tied for 21st on two under par after a third round 73.

Leading third round scores: (Par 72):
 
207 – G Hutcheon (Sco) 65, 72, 70;
208 – J Morgan (Eng) 69, 72, 67; M Hoey (Nir) 67, 70, 71;
209 – B Grace (Rsa) 69, 70, 70; W Besseling (Ned) 67, 70, 72;
210 – J Quesne (Fra) 73, 68, 69; R Santos (Por) 68, 74, 68; G Molteni (Ita) 71, 71, 68; S Delagrange (Fra) 72, 68, 70;
211 – B Evans (Eng) 68, 72, 71; D Park (Wal) 73, 68, 70; M Haastrup (Den) 68, 68, 75; A Tampion (Aus) 73, 70, 68;
212 – P Kaensche (Nor) 70, 70, 72; B Lecuona (Fra) 68, 73, 71; A Joudar (Mar) 74, 70, 68; E Ramsay (Sco) 71, 69, 72; R McEvoy (Eng) 75, 65, 72;
213 – N Vanhootegem (Bel) 69, 73, 71; M Zions (Aus) 67, 73, 73;
214 - Stephen Browne (Ire) 71, 70, 73.