Enoch and Whitnell hunt maiden wins on European Tour as they share Cazoo Classic lead

Rhys Enoch and Dale Whitnell share a one-stroke lead heading into the weekend at the Cazoo Classic, where British players dominate the leaderboard in the final event of the European Tour’s UK Swing.

Welshman Enoch carded the round of the day at London Golf Club with a bogey-free seven-under 65 which moved him to 10-under. The 33-year-old already has two Sunshine Tour titles and one Challenge Tour victory to his name, but will enter the weekend seeking a maiden European Tour win.

Whitnell, meanwhile, has never led or shared a lead after any round on the European Tour and the Englishman is also seeking a first victory. His four-under 68 also came without a single dropped shot and the 33-year-old parred every one of his final nine holes.

England’s Jordan Smith and Callum Hill of Scotland, both of whom have had good chances to win during the UK Swing, share third place on nine-under after respective rounds of 69 and 67, while Richard Bland and Maverick Antcliffe are one stroke further back.

Whitnell said: “It was solid, I haven’t missed many fairways today. The swing feels in good shape and I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing.

“I’ve never led a tournament. When I was fourth at Close House I was maybe one behind, but I’ve just got to take all the experience I’ve had and hopefully it will stand me in good stead going into the weekend.

“This is what we’re all here for and fortunately I’m in that position this week so we’ll see what the weekend brings.”

Enoch added: “I haven’t had time to think about the round yet, I was a bit concerned about how bumpy the green were going to get with this poana grass but I’m chuffed to get into the house with a 65.

“It was really a bit of a grind, but you just have to put one foot in front of the other, play hole-by-hole and we managed to do that.”