Conor Purcell endured a rollercoaster third round at the English Trophy presented by Rocket Yard Sports Marketing after he carded a four-under 68 that included two eagles in Frilford Heath.
It moves the Portmarnock man onto eleven-under-par and into a share of 17th place and he trails German Maximilian Schmitt by seven heading into the final day of the regular Challenge Tour season.
Purcell opened his round with an eagle on the par-5 10th before holing out from 50 yards for another eagle on the par-4 16th in a front nine of 32. But there were some scrappy moments with dropped shots coming on the 11th, 5th and par-5 2nd while he also birdied 18, 1 and 3 in the windy conditions.
“Yeah it was good. Got off to a quick start, eagling my first hole, the tenth. The whole round was all over the place then. I holed a wedge shot from fifty yards on sixteen for another eagle so I had two in my first seven holes and turned in four-under.
“It was very scrappy on the back nine but I made a few solid pars and I can’t be too disappointed with four-under.
“It was much windier today. The first two days it was playing rather easy, then today when you get your tee shot today it’s quite a gettable golf course. In that wind it was nice to break par.”
Purcell admitted pre-tournament that he was in bonus territory heading into the week and there were a number of permutations facing him before Thursday.
The 25-year-old entered the week 64th in the Challenge Tour rankings with the top-70 at seasons end earning Challenge Tour cards and the top-45 advancing to next month’s Road to Mallorca Grand Final.
Now projected 62nd he needs something special to force his way to Mallorca and while there was a sense of resignation in his voice post round he was content with a 68.
“I can’t be too disappointed with four-under. I can’t be too focused on what everyone else is doing, obviously everyone is shooting low scores but once I do the best I can that’s all that matters and we’ll see where it leaves me.”
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