Haywood leads in Westwood Trophy but Yorkshire county players are in close attendance

The former professional and Tour caddie shot a one-under 69 for a 36-hole total of 136.

Just a stroke behind him are Ben Hutchinson (Howley Hall), David Houlding, from Moortown, and Braintree’s Todd Clements.

Daniel Wasteney (Lindrick) is a further shot back on 138.

Hayward used to hold the course record at Rotherham, but knows that his lead is a slender one, particularly with seven further players within three shots.

They include Martin Brown, of Pike Hills, who has two Yorkshire team-mates just behind him on 140 in Jonathan Thomson (Lindrick) and Ben Brewster (Bawtry).

Houlding is being watched by his grandfather, Bryon Hutchinson, a former PGA Cup captain, who introduced him to the sport at an early age.

His round of level par 70 followed an excellent three-under 67 on Tuesday.

Looking forward to Thursday’s final two rounds he said: “I need to play the same as the first two rounds - hit fairways and greens and hope the putts drop.”

The cut fell at 145, and the most notable casualty was Jersey’s Jason Stokes, who slumped to an 80 having led overnight with a 66.

Best round on Wednesday was carded by York’s Julian Taylor, the current Yorkshire amateur champion, with a score of 67.

Thursday sees the completion of the event over a further 36 holes.