Tim Rice and Jonny Caldwell are just a shot off the pace entering the final round of the COBRA PUMA GOLF Open at The Carrick.

The pair desperately need the £10,000 winner's cheque and they have ever chance of doing it as rookie Robbie Busher leads on six under par after a five under 66.

Rice (67, 70 Team Ireland) shares second with this week's room-mate Caldwell (67, 70; BetMcLean), with Sam Connor (65, 73; Alsager Golf & Country Club) and Matthew Cort (69, 69; Beedles Lake Golf Club) tied fourth on four under.

Scoreboard

Rice is 189th in the money list — the Race to Desert Springs — with £280 from eight starts while Caldwell is 71st with £1,555 on the board. 

Like the rest of the tour, their goal is to finish in the top 5 and earn Challenge Tour cards and a win for either would leave them just one big finish away from the holy grail.