Purcell in his element as stunning 65 puts him to within three of lead

Ronan MacNamara
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Conor Purcell (Photo by Jonathan Di Maggio/R&A via Getty Images)

Ronan MacNamara

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Conor Purcell feels at ease with his game after a bogey-free 65 catapulted him to within three of the lead heading into the final round of the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open.

Purcell carded seven birdies to move into a share of sixth position on ten-under-par as he looks to chase down Darren Fichardt and Benjamin Follet-Smith on Sunday.

The Portmarnock man has reaped the rewards for not shooting himself out of the tournament after finding himself three-over after four holes of round two. Now with full playing rights on the Challenge Tour, mentally he feels less pressure compared to playing on invites.

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“It was a very solid day, nothing too spectacular, kept bogeys off the card which was nice and made the most of all the chances that I had. My lag putting has been good as well so yeah overall it was a great day.

“I feel very at ease and don’t have to force anything or try do well a certain week. I feel over the course of the year I’ll be fine and I’m happy where things are at.”

The 25-year-old was steady off the tee and took advantage of good positional play to card birdies on the 2nd, 5th and 7th to turn in 33 before braces on 11 and 12 and 16 and 17 put him into the mix as he looks for his maiden professional win.

“It’s just been positional off the tee, from the fairway it’s quite a playable golf course but the minute you’re in the rough it’s a much different beast so the key is about keeping it in play and not hitting it all over the place.

“I’ve liked it here so far I don’t think it’s a crazy long golf course by any stretch and the par fives are quite gettable and I’ve managed to capitalise on all the par fives so far so try and do it again tomorrow.

“More of the same tomorrow. I’m not really focusing on scores as much as I have done in the past it’s about doing the right things and hitting the right shots and see where it leaves me.”

Derry’s Ruaidhrí McGee carded a two-under 70 to move up to two-under through 54 holes and in a share of 58th place.

Scoring HERE

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