JAMIE Moul set up a chance to win in just his second ever appearance on the European Tour with a stunning 64 at Le Meridien Moscow Country Cub in the third round of the Russian Open.

The Colchester golfer, who has been doing his stats with StrokeAverage.com since his days as a member of the England School of Excellence junior set up, will go head-to-head with Swede Mikael Lundberg, who won the golf tournament on the same course three years ago when it was a dual ranked tournament.

Jamie Moul, whose only appearance on the European Tour came in the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa, in December, when he missed the cut after carding rounds of 79 and 78.

The 23-year-old failed to win his card in his first trip to the PGA European Tour School in November, and has struggled to make an impact playing in six Challenge Tour golf events so far this season, earning just £2,482 from six starts.

But victory in the 2008 Russian Open not only brings a first prize of £166,000 but a two-year exemption for the winner that would secure his playing rights until the end of 2010.

It would also be another tour win for StrokeAverage.com clients following Ross Fisher’s win in the European Open and Graeme McDowell’s victory in the Scottish Open. Also Chris Wood claimed the Silver Medal as the leading amateur at last week’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.

A delighted Jamie Moul said: “It’s been a bit slow to be honest. It didn’t start off great but I have been starting to play well over the last couple of months.

“The scores haven’t really reflected that so it’s nice to see them going into the red for once. I am quite happy with my game now. I have played six Challenge Tour events and my game has been there or thereabouts.”

Jamie Moul, whose major amateur victories included the 2007 Lytham Trophy, the Selborne Salver in 2006 and the Hampshire Salver in 2002, relied on his short game for his eight-under round.

He added: “My short game got me round. I missed a few shots but the putter got me out of trouble a few times and I made a few nice birdies.

“And then I just played to my strengths coming in – I didn’t take any risks, just kept it in play and thankfully a few putts did drop.

“This is a great event and I am very thankful for the invitation to come out here and play. It’s an interesting place - certainly not your run-of-the-mill tournament as I know it.”

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