Malone’s Matthew McClean is just five shots off the lead at the halfway stage of the European Nations Championship in Sotogrande but both the men’s and women’s teams are well off the pace.
Three bogeys in his last six holes will undoubtedly leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the US Mid-Amateur champion but his one-over 73 leaves him on level-par with a three-way tie at the top.
2021 Irish Amateur Open runner-up Nicola Gerhardsen of Switzerland shares the lead with Gregor Graham of Scotland and Wales’ James Ashfield on five-under-par.
McClean carded two birdies and as many bogeys in his first four holes before a run of pars was broken by back-to-back birdies on 11 and 12 as he closed in on the lead.
Bogeys on 13, 15 and 18 scuppered his progress but he lies in a share of 12th place.
Meanwhile Mullingar Scratch Cup winner Joshua Hill moved up a staggering 28 places into 33rd on five-over after a two-under 70.
The Galgorm Castle man holed out for eagle on the par-4 3rd and he recovered from two bogeys with a brace of gains on 11 and 12.
Douglas’ Peter O’Keeffe is on ten-over with Castle’s Rob Moran back on plus fifteen.
The Boys in Green who travelled without Irish number one Hugh Foley moved up two places into 12th on fifteen-over, sixteen shy of Scotland.
The Irish women’s team prop up the table with Katie Poots leading the charge on thirteen-over.
Elm Park’s Emma Fleming is two shots further back while Aideen Walsh is +18.
Scoring HERE
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