That decisive blow – good enough for a two-under-par round of 69 – kept him ahead of a chasing pack containing proven Tour winners Bradley Dredge (68), Simon Khan (68) and Greg Owen (67) who are all on -7. Robert Coles and David Drysdale are a further shot back on six-under ahead of what is sure to be a thrilling last day.
With the 7,000-yard Apes Hill layout baring its teeth – thanks to a combination of some difficult pin positions and a 15mph easterly wind – the challenge facing the players was considerable, with patience, application and ball control coming to the fore.
After the fireworks of yesterday’s scintillating 66, Kingston struggled to find the fluency that got him to the top of the leaderboard. Back-to-back bogeys midway through the back nine dropped him out of the lead but he rallied to find two birdies to repair the damage and get back to -8.
“I’m really proud of myself to come back over the last few holes, make two birdies and get myself back in position,” Kingston said. “Patience and discipline are things I’m still learning but I think I’m getting better, even at this age. I didn’t birdie two, which already got me a little aggro there. And then making bogey on three and four. But I stuck to my guns and it took a few decent shots coming in. And there I am, in with a good chance.
“I’d rather be one ahead than one behind. It means that somebody has to catch up a shot. It’s all going to be how we play the last round, what sort of start I get off to. I’m looking forward to it and so pleased to be in that position.
“I got to spend a bit of time with Gary Player, played a few rounds with him and you listen to him talking. He always relished being in that position. And a few times today I just said that to myself: you’re in this position, so you’ve got a tough spot or you’ve got a tough shot, but make it a challenge and try to rise to the challenge.”
After opening up with a solid four-under-par 67, Dredge – a two-time winner on the DP World Tour – backed that up with a 68 to reach -7. It was a day packed with quality shots, including a 3-iron to 10ft on the reachable par-four 2nd, but also tempered with inconsistency.
“Today was similar to yesterday – a mixed bag from tee to green and the same on the greens,” said the Welshman. “At times yesterday when I was struggling tee to green, I holed a few good putts and I did the same early on today where I hit a few poor shots. Then on my back nine I hit some good shots but then couldn’t make anything. I hit two lovely shots into the par-five 9th and then missed a birdie putt from about two foot to finish.
“But overall, I’m very pleased to be in contention and I’m in a good position going into the last round. Hopefully I can continue with some good form, make a few more putts and lift the trophy.”
England’s Khan – a former BMW PGA Champion – once again started slowly with a bogey at his first hole, but soon bounced back with two birdies and an eagle on his front nine. He then closed out his round with a superb up-and-down for birdie having overshot the par-five 18th green in two.
The Englishman’s chip came up short but he holed a gutsy 15-footer to get to seven-under and take a share of the clubhouse lead. The putter was also called into action on the 16th with a par-save from a similar distance to right the ship after a bogey on 15.
Reflecting on his round, Khan said: “I started with a bogey again, like yesterday, but got going after that and played well on the rest of the front nine. The course got quite difficult around the middle of the back nine and it felt a little bit tougher today with some of the pins. But overall I’m really happy.
“I didn’t do too well here last year, but I think I learned a lot from that and I’ve spent a lot of time on the course this week. I’ve really worked on my putting on these greens as they are really tricky to read. We obviously play on a lot of courses with grain on this tour and I’ve done in the past and in Asia and places like that, but these are particularly difficult to read both line and pace at times. You can hit a really good shot in here and have a good birdie chance, but you’ve got to be quite defensive on some putts as well.
“My frame of mind has been good this week in terms of how I’ve applied myself and my commitment to my shots. So I just carried that on and hopefully that’ll be good enough.”
Greg Owen is the third member of the trio at seven-under after carding the joint-lowest round of the day. The Nottinghamshire man shot a superb bogey-free 67, backing up yesterday’s 68 as he seeks a maiden Legends Tour victory.
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Day 2 Round Up
