Conor Purcell took the next step in his professional career as he eagled the tenth and birdied the fifteenth to outmuscle Joakim Lagergren to win his maiden Challenge Tour title at the Black Desert NI Open in Galgorm Castle.
It wasn’t pretty at times but a one-over 71 was enough for Purcell to overcome a one shot deficit overnight to win by the minimum on thirteen-under-par.
“Over the moon, lost for words,” said Purcell who has had to work his way up from the Alps Tour and only played his first full Challenge Tour season last year.
“I have waited a long time for this and for it to happen at home in front of my family and friends is just amazing.”
Purcell has seen chances to win on tour for the first time go begging but the 27-year-old spoke on Saturday of learning the lessons of those near misses and he proved that wit a brave back nine of 34.
A nervy start saw the Portmarnock man open with a bogey, birdie, bogey, birdie, bogey, bogey start before a fifth dropped shot in eight holes saw him turn in 37 but remarkable he still only trailed by one shot with Lagergren struggling to find the form of his moving day 61 as he also turned in 37.
Purcell roared level with a superb eagle on 10, rolling in from 25-feet to draw a large cheer from the crowd. Lagergren birdied to remain on terms.
“I hit a really bad tee shot off 8 and made a really good bogey from it and it kept me in it at one or two back of Joakim and I knew there would be chances on the back and holding the eagle on 10 was a huge momentum swing and it kept me going.”
After a bogey on 13, Purcell edged ahead on his own for the first time with the all important birdie on 15 after Lagergren bogeyed the same hole and three closing pars were enough to see him over the line.
“Joakim is a really good competitor, a proven winner out here and he has won here before so I knew not to take him lightly. I’m just pleased because I putted terribly today! But managed to get the job done.”
Purcell was delighted to win in front of some family and friends who made the trip up the M1 and he intends to celebrate his breakthrough win even though the Irish Challenge at the K Club starts this week.
“Amazing, it just calms you down knowing they are there to support you, hitting a tee shot in the fairway and they go nuts it just kind of spurs you on to hit a few good ones.
“First one has to be celebrated so looking forward to going home and celebrating with everyone.”
This tournament is presented by Tom McKibbin and Purcell has taken a huge step towards joining his compatriot on the DP World Tour next year with this win set to move him from 24th to 4th in the Road to Mallorca Rankings with the top-20 securing DP World Tour cards in November.
McKibbin may have moved on to the PGA Tour by then but Purcell’s win is a timely boost to his aspirations of reaching the top level in Europe.
Meanwhile, Gary Hurley finished in a share of 35th place on one-over after a final round of 75 with Jonathan Caldwell a shot further back after a 70.
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