Cormac Sharvin will fly the flag for Ireland solo in the final round of this year’s Porsche European Open after Jonathan Caldwell, Niall Kearney and Paul Dunne missed the 36-hole cut in Hamburg.
Ardglass professional Sharvin had to fight hard before signing for a three-over par second round 75, trading five bogeys with two birdies as he fell seven shots back of the leaders at two-over par heading into Monday’s final round.
Clandeboye’s Caldwell and Royal Dublin’s Kearney were unlucky not to be joining him in the final round draw but with the cut-mark falling at three-over par, the pair missed out by a single stroke at four-over. Kearney was left to rue a final hole double-bogey while Caldwell dropped shots at 17 and 18 on his way to his four-over tally.
That proved to be a full 10 strokes better off than Greystones swinger Dunne who had a nightmare second round in Germany. Still seeking a return to his best form, Dunne carded six bogeys and two doubles in a birdie-free 82 to fall well down the board to a tie for 128th at 14-over.
At the other end of the spectrum, Maverick Antcliff and Matthew Southgate share the lead ahead of tomorrow’s final round as the pair go in search of maiden European Tour victories at the Porsche European Open.
Australian Antcliff set the early clubhouse lead at Green Eagle Golf Courses after signing for a four under par round of 68, which included three birdies on his last three holes, with Southgate, of England, joining him on five-under par after a round of 69.
“I’ve driven it particularly well,” said Southgate. “It’s a big strength of my game, every tee I’ve taken a couple of deep breaths and stick to the process of what I do every week. The fairways are narrow for everyone. I’ve felt for a long time that I’m one of the better drivers of a golf ball in the world. I’ve reminded myself of positive thoughts and let it go. Don’t steer it from the tee. Through 36 it’s worked so far.
“There’s a lot of power players out here. When you play with guys who hit it 20-30 yards off-line but can get away from time to time with it it’s quite difficult to compete. When the rough’s up, the bunkers are there and the fairways are narrow it makes it a level playing field and your skill set has to stand up to the test.”
The pair are one stroke ahead of Scottish pair Scott Jamieson and David Law, Edoardo Molinari of Italy and Dutchman Darius van Driel. Molinari carded the lowest round of the tournament thus far, a seven-under par 65, on the demanding Porsche Nord Course to move into a share of third on four under par.
Mikko Korhonen of Finland fired a five-under par 67 to join 18-hole leader Thomas Detry in a share of seventh on three under.
Monday marks the final round of the 54-hole tournament and the last opportunity for players to qualify for the U.S. Open as the top ten aggregate Race to Dubai points earners, not otherwise exempt, from the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett, Made in HimmerLand presented by FREJA and Porsche European Open will earn a place at Torrey Pines.
- Full scoring HERE
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