Conor Purcell and Paul McBride’s rounds of 68 and 70 respectively leave the Irish duo tied for 24th on eight-under par heading into the final day of play at the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge.
The Irish pair are just two shots back from the glut of golfers tied for 11th on 10-under par and three shots back from the five golfers tied for sixth on 11-under par.
Lauri Ruuska (-20) finished the day leading the tournament just as he did after the first round, and will start Sunday’s play with a two-shot lead over the second-placed Scot, Jack McDonald.
Conor Purcell’s round of three-under par was the standout among the Irish players in the third round, but he started slower than he would have liked.
A bogey on the third was cancelled out by a birdie on the sixth for a level par front nine but stepped up his play as he started the way back in.
Then a birdie on the 10th was followed up by back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th and left the 26-year-old on eight-under par for the tournament and tied for 24th – identical to his fellow countryman, Paul McBride.
McBride played his highest-scoring round of the week, going around the Vierumäki Resort course in 70 strokes and a score of one-under.
The top Irish player after round two started his second round was one-under after six holes but a double bogey on the seventh left the Irishman with work to do on his back nine.
A birdie on the 12th and a bogey on the 15th left the Irishman on one over par for the round, but consecutive birdies on the final two holes sent McBride into the clubhouse on one under for the day, and eight under par for the tournament.
Jonathan Yates (-4) and Conor O’Rourke (-3) both finished the day with an even par round of 71 and are likely out of the running for higher-placed finishes.
Tournament leader, Lauri Ruuska regained his tournament lead with a round of 63 and has set himself up for a home victory on the Challenge Tour.
The Finn started his round with a birdie on the opening hole and followed that up with three more birdies in the opening nine holes.
Ruuska’s brilliant approach shot on the 12th set him up perfectly to grab his second eagle of the tournament and followed this up with consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th, finishing the day on seven under par.
Ruuska explained how happy he was with his round today, as well as the challenge posed by his closest challenger and playing partner for tomorrow, Jack McDonald (-18).
“I actually felt better about my game today than I did when I shot the 59. Somehow every putt went in on that day but today felt like a better all-round performance.
“Jack played pretty well as well today. He’s a really steady golfer. He doesn’t make too many mistakes so I can’t afford to make too many mistakes tomorrow. We were actually sat next to each other on the plane over here and now we’re in the final group together.”
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