Kearney in the hunt as Fox out in front in Soudal Open

Niall Kearney remains well in the hunt at the Soudal Open in Belgium as New Zealander Ryan Fox grabbed the lead on Saturday after a back nine hot streak.

Fox, twice a winner on the European Tour, rattled in five birdies on his inward nine to reach 11-under par after 54 holes.

He leads by a stroke from England's Sam Horsfield, with German Yannick Paul in sole possession of third spot on nine-under par.

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Kearney, twice winner of the Irish PGA Championship back in 2014 and 2015, is in the grouping on eight-under par, after carding his second 69 of the week, a 67 on Friday sandwiched in between.

The Dubliner reached the turn in 33, notching birdies on the 2nd, 5th and 8th. He dropped a stroke on 10 before parring his way home to sit well placed heading into Sunday.

The other two Irish players in the field, Cormac Sharvin and Jonathan Caldwell failed to make the weekend, both having posted two-over par for the first two rounds.