Jonathan Yates produced his best performance since the lockdown to capture a welcomed share of third spot at the Open Mirabelle in France.
Starting the day six shots back of the leaders, the Naas professional, who enjoyed a top-20 finish last time out on Alps Tour duty, fired a second successive 68 to reach 11-under par.
Yates carded four birdies with just the one dropped shot coming at the par-5 10th to sign for a three-under par effort that ultimately fell four shots shy of Alejandro Del Rey’s winning score of 15-under par around Golf de la Grange aux Ormes.
“I played really good, way better than the front so I managed to get a 34 on the back, just barely enough to beat Lucas,” said Spaniard Del Rey, who pipped his compatriot Lucas Vacarisas by a single stroke.
“I’m happy now but it’s been a stressful day so I tried to stay really focussed and I was still in it when I finished so I didn’t celebrate too much at the end of the 18th but now I’m happy, I’m realising it more.”
For the effort, Yates collected a timely cheque worth €2,200 and some valuable Order of Merit points to go with it as he looks to make this run of form count until the end of the season.
The result was his second near miss of the campaign having narrowly lost out in a playoff all the way back in February at Sokhna Golf Club.
Full scoring HERE
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