On the back of making a first DP World Tour cut, John Murphy made the most of his Saturday tee time as he shot his lowest tour round with a six-under 65 to move within touching distance of the top 10.
Despite an opening bogey, with the monkey somewhat off his back, Murphy would respond with birdies at the third and fifth holes, before reaching the short par-4 eighth. After driving to the front edge of the green, he’d drain the 25-footer for an eagle-two, before signing off on the front nine with a par to make the turn at -3 for the day.
A bogey at 14 was the only blemish on the inward loop, and he’d card a birdie at the par-3 12th and reel off three in succession with the par-4 16th and 18th holes sandwiching the par-5 17th. It was a superb finish to the round for the Kinsale man, and he’d sign for a six-under 65 to climb to a provisional fourth place on the leaderboard, albeit with the leaders yet to begin their third-round assaults.
Ultimately, he’d end the day in a tie for 17th, climbing 44 spots on the leaderboard, with just Matthew Southgate and Mike Lorenzo-Vera shooting lower.
“I’m very pleased,” said Murphy, after his round.
“It feels really nice to feel like I’m playing some good golf again.
“I struggled a bit in the last few months, so certainly, I felt myself out there again. I felt comfortable, felt confident, and I’ll just try to carry that into tomorrow.”
Thomas Detry will go into the final round just one stroke off the lead as he seeks a fairytale maiden victory on home soil.
The 30-year-old, a five-time runner-up on the DP World Tour, matched his second round at Rinkven International Golf Club in Belgium as he carded a bogey-free five under par round of 66 for a 14 under par total, sitting one stroke behind 36-hole leader Simon Forsström of Sweden.
Forsström carded just one birdie through ten holes before a 90-minute weather delay, but found momentum after the restart as he carded three birdies on his closing six holes for a four under par 67 and a 15 under par total.
The Swede is in his rookie season on the DP World Tour after earning his card at Qualifying School in November, and has had three top tens this campaign, making eight cuts from 11 starts.
In a share of third on 12 under are Frenchman Julien Brun and Sweden’s Jens Dantorp. One stroke further back on 11 under are Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France, Scotland’s Richie Ramsay and Englishman Andrew Wilson.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” Detry said of the huge home support he’s receiving. “It feels like I’m bringing Tiger crowds out here. The course has an amazing atmosphere between the trees as well. Every single clap sounds like it’s times three. There’s really a great atmosphere, it’s lovely to see some familiar faces again. It’s just so much fun and hopefully the sunshine stays for tomorrow, and I think it will.”
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