WILLOW Valley’s Lee Shepherd has a slim outside chance in the race for the PGA North Region Mansell Finishes Winter Pro-am order of merit award

With two events, at Hillside and West Lancs, remaining Matthew Tottey holds the high ground after his seven under par 65 at Royal Liverpool shared the honours with Adrian Ambler and he leads Wakefield man Ambler by 13 points going into the fifth fixture at Hillside later this month.

Royal Liverpool leading scores: 65 - M Tottey (North Wales), A Ambler (Walton Golf Centre). 66 - B Taylor (Houghwood. 67 - R Carroll (West Derby), L Rooke (Vale of Llangollen), D Hopwood (Penwortham). 68 - S Edwards (Windermere), M Davies (Rhuddlan), A Barnett (North Wales GR), S Parry (unatt), L Shepherd (Willow Valley), M Welch (Hawkstone Park).

Others included: 70 - P Carman (Huddersfield). 76 - J Eyre (Woodsome Hall).

Order of merit leaders: 563pts - M Tottey. 550 - A Ambler. 525 - S Edwards. 460 - M Ellis (Romiley). 450 - M Sheppard (Darland). 433 - B Taylor (Houghwood). 385 - L Shepherd (Willow Valley). 377 - C Corrigan (Haigh Hall). 370 - T Maxwell (Knutsford). 350 - A Baguley (Leigh).