Alex Maguire continued his fine form on the MENA Tour this season as he backed up an opening 67 with an impressive 66 at the Egypt Golf Series Madinaty Golf Club.
Maguire who has been knocking on the door of his first professional victory shares seventh place on seven-under and will have to go very low on Thursday if he is to catch leaders Owen Edwards who shot a sizzling 63 and Juan Salma on twelve-under.
The Laytown & Bettystown man started strong with birdies on the 10th and 13th and he responded to a dropped shot on the par-3 14th with two birdies in three holes to close out his front nine.
The 24-year-old bogeyed the par-3 2nd but finished well with birdies on the third and ninth to keep his slim hopes of victory alive.
Welshman Edwards roared up the leaderboard to share the lead on 12-under. After two birdies and a bogey on his front nine he made a whopping six birdies in a back nine of 30 to join Salma at the summit heading into the final round.
“It was a bit of a tale of two halves,” said Edwards. “We went out early at 7:30am, so it was dewy and colder to start and I wasn’t quite feeling it, but then momentum kicked in and I hit some really good shots when it mattered. The key moment was probably the second hole – it was tricky with the wind pushing towards the water for me as a lefty, but I hit a seven-iron to four feet and that really got things going.
“Playing four events in a row has helped massively. Back home it’s hard to get competitive rounds, so to come out here and get 12 proper tournament rounds makes a huge difference and gives you confidence that you’re ready for the next part of the season. The prize funds and opportunities on the MENA Golf Tour are unbelievable – it’s proper competition and a great experience.”
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