John Murphy made it back-to-back third place finishes on the Challenge Tour as a solid final round saw him end the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge on the final podium place.
The Kinsale man concluded his tournament with a two-under 70 at Vierumäki Golf Resort to end his week 20-under-par, but that was six shots off Velten Meyer, who closed out his overnight lead for his first Challenge Tour title.
There will be a little of disappointment for Murphy, who bogeyed the par-five 18th and cost him a share of second place with another German, Marc Hammer, but it’s still another strong week and will see him take a massive step towards the top-20 in the Road to Mallorca.
The 25-year-old had picked up an early bogey at the par-four third, but steadied the ship with a strong run of four birdies in six holes from the ninth to move into second place above Hammer, who had back-to-back bogeys to start his back nine.
But that closing bogey would cost Murphy as the German bounced back with birdies at the 13th and 18th in a 70 of his own to reclaim runner-up.
If there is a silver lining then it is that Meyer ran away with the win, eagling the par-five first and never looking back, adding five more birdies on his way back to the clubhouse to finish at 26-under, five clear of Hammer.
Five birdies and three bogeys in another 70 saw Conor Purcell finish the week tied for 28th at 11-under-par, with Mallow’s James Sugrue closing his week with back-to-back birdies in a 71 to end the tournament at 10-under and in a share for 35th.
Gary Hurley ended his tournament with two birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey in a one-over 73, finishing tied-50th at seven-under-par, with Paul McBride bouncing back from a run of three straight bogeys with five birdies in a 70 to finish five-under, tied for 56th.
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