PROUD dad Paul Eales had his 11-year-old son Josh caddying for him for the first time in the Spirotech Manchester Open at Marriott Worsley Park.

And he had no hesitation in asking him to take the bag again in today's final round after moving into the lead with a five-under-par 66.

"He didn't just pull the trolley, he helped me to read the greens," said the former European Tour player who is attached to Garstang.

"He gave me the right line for two birdie putts and I would have holed a third if I'd listened to him."

Josh, who prefers football to golf although he does play the game occasionally, said: "It was fun but a bit tiring on the legs. I've watched dad many times and I was really pleased to caddy for him."

Eales, 45, fresh from covering last week's Open at Turnberry where he was the Beeb's on course reporter, collected six birdies and only a three-putt bogey at the 200-yard 11th blotted his card. "I hit all the fairways and that took the pressure off me," he said. I had 30 putts which was only one less than my average when I played the tour."
 
Former winner David Clark, professional at Northumberland club Morpeth, thought he'd struggle to make the cut after starting his round with three successive bogeys.
  
"I was hitting it everywhere except straight," he said. "I played three balls off the fourth tee but luckily found the first one in deep rough then eventually chipped in for birdie four."

Out in one-over, Clark grabbed an eagle and four birdies on the home stretch to join four other players on 67 including Walton Golf Centre's Adrian Ambler.

It was well worth the wait for David Smith as he launched his bid to retain his crown with a 68 - nearly two years had elapsed since he claimed it after last season's tournament was washed out. Smith, assistant at Swinton Park, was more than happy with his score.

"I'd have taken that before I teed off," he said after banking four birdies, erring once at the short seventh where he ball rolled off a mound and into the drink.

"I missed only two fairways which was critical because preferred lies were in operation. I also hit 15 greens in regulation and generally kept out of trouble despite a swirling wind which added to the difficulty," he said.

BARRY Cuthbert beat Whitefield's Jay McGarvey 3&2 over his home club Prestwich in the North West Manchester GA President's Matchplay Championship final. Rochdale's Reuben Thompson dispatched Matt Strumiskyj, from the host club,  4&3 in the Secretary's Challenge final.