Arman Newton carded the lowest round to move within four shots of leader Oliver Betschart in the penultimate round of the Cedarberry Bowl at Tucker’s Point Golf Club on Thursday.

Newton (155) shot a three-over 73, which included two birdies, a bogey and two double bogeys.

In doing so, he made up considerable ground on Betschart (151) and bolstered his title hopes in the Blue Championship Division heading into the final round at Belmont Hills Golf Club on Friday.

“I had a slow front nine, missed a couple short birdie putts,” the Saltus Grammar School student, who celebrated his 16th birthday on Wednesday, told The Royal Gazette.

“However, got it together on the back but sadly put one out on 16, which caused a double.”

Overnight leader Betschart found the going tough but managed to maintain pole position after carding a nine-over 79, which included one birdie, four bogeys and three double bogeys.

Sa-Qui Robinson (163) sits in third, a further eight shots off the lead, after shooting 81.

White Championship Division overnight leader Lewis MacFarlane (156) carded the day’s second-lowest round off 77 to maintain his advantage over the rest of the field.

In second is Darina Betschart, the only female competing in the division, nine shots back. Vihaan Seth (170), who started the round tied with Betschart for second, sits in third a further five shots off the lead.

The lead in the Red 9-Hole Division swapped hands with Freddie Jones taking over top spot from Joshua Cann.

Jones leads with 91 Stableford points followed by William Leman (98) in second and Cann (99) in third.

The Blue and White Division, featuring players 15 and over, are playing in a 54-hole stroke play tournament and Red 9-Hole Division, involving players ages 10 to 12, in the Stableford format also being spread across three days.

Friday, beginners aged 8 to 11 will compete in the Novice Division, which is also being contested in the Stableford format.