Conor Purcell is not feeling weighed down by expectation and a shot at history this week as he looks to become the first Irishman to win the Challenge Tour Rankings since Raymond Burns in 1994.
Purcell wrapped up his DP World Tour card and improved his category after his win at the Hangzhou Open gave him his second victory of the campaign which made winning the Road to Mallorca Rankings a possibility.
The Portmarnock man has bolted into 4th place in the season long race and into the rear view mirror of John Parry and Rasmus Neergaard Petersen and an opening round of 67 has kept his hopes of winning both the Grand Final and the order of merit alive.
Purcell could also finish as the Number One should he win and Parry finish no higher than third. Purcell could finish as low as third and still win the Rankings, but would need Parry to finish no higher than 22nd, Neergaard-Petersen to finish no higher than 11th and Hamish Brown to finish no higher than seventh.
“I mean it’s always a goal but it’s always a bit further back in your head. That win in China put me in a nice position going into this week. Still have work to do, the boys at the top are not letting up so foot down from now,” explained Purcell after his round at Club de Golf Alcanada.
There are all kinds of pressures being experienced here this week with plenty fighting for their futures as they try to either hold on to their spots in the top-20 or push into the top-20 and earn DP World Tour cards.
Purcell has no such worries and nothing to protect with his destiny already secure and he can afford to play as much front foot golf as he can.
“I probably feel a little less stressed than normal but I’m still nervous on first tees and yeah you still have to deal with the nerves that tournament golf brings. It’s just amazing that no matter what level of golf you get to there are always those nerves and you are worrying about hitting it OB on a tee shot or whatever, just happy with how I played today and hopefully I can keep it going.”
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