Purcell poised to strike as he holds firm in tough second round at British Challenge

Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell will head into the weekend at British Challenge presented by Modest! Golf Management just inside the top-10.

The 25-year-old had a disappointing second round at St. Mellion Estate in Cornwall as two double-bogeys and three birdies led to a one-over 73, dropping him back to two-under-par for the tournament.

But on a day where scoring was tough for the whole field, that saw him remain inside the top-10 and he will head into the weekend five shots off leaders Matthew Baldwin and Euan Walker.

England’s Baldwin had an eagle, four birdies and three bogeys in a 69 to set the target at seven-under-par, but Walker dazzled with eight birdies and two bogeys in a 66 to join him.

The pair’s lead is one shot over France’s Adrien Saddier, who shot the round of the day as he carded a bogey-free seven-under 65 to sit six-under-par, with Haraldur Magnus and Simon Forsstrom a shot further back.

Tyler Hogarty, who started the day one shot off the lead, struggled on day two as four bogeys and one birdie in a 75 dropped him back to one-under-par and into a share of 22nd.

Holywood’s Tom McKibbin is also in for the weekend after a second round 71, consisting of six birdies, two bogeys and a triple-bogey, took him up to tied-32nd at one-over-par.

Kinsale’s John Murphy missed the weekend as a 78 dropped him to nine-over-par, while Derry’s Ruaidhri McGee retired from the tournament while on 11-over-par.

SCORING