Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell is looming large on the leaderboard as he goes in search of a first professional victory at the $75,000 NEWGIZA Open, the first-ever MENA Tour by Arena event in Egypt.
The Dubliner followed a rock-solid two-under 70 with a free-flowing five-under par 67 to move to within three strokes of the lead ahead of the final day in Cairo.
The 22-year old, who was signed by global giants Wasserman, whose stable includes major winners like Jason Day and Zach Johnson, just weeks into his rookie season, fired six birdies to move inside the top-5 at seven-under par.
Not to be outdone, Headfort’s Rory McNamara joined his compatriot in posting a five-under par round of 67 to keep his chances alive also.
McNamara fired a magnificent seven birdies to move to four-under par, just six back of the lead with 18 holes to play in Egypt.
Naas pro Conor O’Rourke, who completes the Irish line-up, could only add a 75 to his opening 74 to fall to five-over par.
Curtis Knipes remains the man to catch in only his second start as a professional as the Englishman reached 10-under par with a round to go in Cairo.
The 19-year-old, a member of Chelmsford club, added a 68 to his opening 66 to lead compatriot Bailey Gill by one ahead of Thursday’s finale.
Full scoring HERE
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