Dermot McElroy lies tied for third and one shot ahead of John Ross Galbraith going into the final round of the Clutch Pro Tour’s Mizuno Masters at Bowood PGA in England’s southwest.
Ballymena’s McElroy opened with a five-under 67 but despite an early birdie in round two, he found himself at two-over for the round with four holes to play. A big finish in which he birdied three of the final four holes to get to six-under overall and he lies tied for third, three off the leading duo.
Galbraith was also among the early starters and made the turn at level-par on the day and three-under overall after two birdies and two bogeys, but four birdies in his first five holes on the front side – his back nine – thrust him into contention. He’ll be disappointed to have closed out with two bogeys in the final three, but he’s in a tie for sixth and four behind.
John Murphy is next best of the Irish at two-under, one ahead of Alex Maguire who lies second in the Clutch Pro Tour Order of Merit. With Murphy also lying sixth in the rankings, every point earned could prove crucial with just three events remaining.
Marc Boucher and Karl McCormack (+1) and Tyler Hogarty and Daniel Mulligan (+2) also made the cut, but it was a week to forget for Robert Brazill, Brandon St John and most notably, Paul McBride all of whom missed the cut.
McBride, a two-time winner on the circuit in 2026, came into the week in third place in the Order of Merit with the top three at season’s end earning full HotelPlanner Tour cards for 2026.
Englishmen Paul Maddy and Angus Flanagan lead at -9, three shots ahead of McElroy and two further Englishmen in Oliver Sullivan and Josh Hilleard.
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