The third and penultimate round of the championships was played in March, before COVID-19 forced the final round to be indefinitely postponed.

The final round will now be played on Saturday, with Thomson holding a six-stroke lead ahead of Brent McIntyre with 18 holes left to play.

"It's going to be good to get it out of the way," Thomson laughed on Thursday.

"I've been playing a bit scratchy recently, a bit on and off, but that's expected after not playing for so long. Everyone will be in the same boat."

Despite holding a healthy lead, Thomson said he won't be playing a more conservative game on Saturday.

"I have to play it as normal - you'll get yourself into more trouble if you try to play conservative," he said.

"I'll just take it as it comes. Take it as any other round."

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Saturday however won't totally be like any other round.

COVID-19 restrictions still in force will halt winners from basking in the glory or having a celebratory beverage after the round.

"You can't hang around or have a beer or anything after, which is a shame," said Thomson

"You don't really get to catch-up with anyone except your playing partners. No handshakes either - the old elbow bump after will do.

"But it's just good to be back at it and playing golf. It's just about the only sport you can play at the moment."

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