Brendan McCarroll feels ready to claim his first Europro win as he finds himself just one shot off the lead heading into today’s final round of the Pentahotels Championship at Caversham Heath Golf Club, Oxfordshire.
The West Cliff’s professional returned five birdies in a rock solid four-under-par 69 to add to his career best opening round of 65 to sit just one shot off the pace set by England’s Jordan Wrisdale at 12-under-par.
McCarroll has been in fine form this term, crediting a change of coach for his upturn in fortunes on the fairways, and having held the bridesmaid tag on three occasions in the past, he now feels ready to go one step further and claim a maiden title.
“I’m really looking forward to the final round,” he said. “My game is the best it has ever been and that’s definitely down to my new coach Barry McGoldrick at Galgorm Castle.
“I’ve been in this situation before, just one shot back is a great position to be in. I’ve finished second three times on the Europro and the most recent was a few weeks ago so it’s definitely time to win.
“I really enjoy being in these positions and will just go out with a relaxed attitude and a patient approach and hopefully get the job done.”
Wrisdale remains the man to catch having carded a superb second round of 66 (-7) to hold a one-shot lead heading into the final round in Oxfordshire.
Wrisdale (Boston) started off at an electric pace, going out in 30 (-6) collecting an eagle and four birdies before coming back in 36 (-1) as he too goes in search of his maiden EuroPro Tour win.
The Lincolnshire lad is no stranger to this position, when he led with 18 left at Wychwood Park Golf Club last season. Reflecting on that week he said: “I felt I learnt a lot about myself that week, even though I didn’t win it helped me develop. I feel much better about my game than I did this time last season.”
“I played really well today, my ball striking was strong and left myself a lot scoring chances. My game isn’t the best it can be, but this is definitely I’ve played this year.
“The wind picked up today so I had to adjust my approach to the round, but the game plan has been successful this week and I’m going to stick to that on the final round.”
As for the other Irish competing this week, Tullamore’s Stuart Grehan signed for a two-under-par 71 for a minus five total that sees him share in a big tie for 16th.
And with the cut to the leading 50 professionals and ties falling at two-under par, both McCarroll and Grehan proved to be the only Irish challengers to advance to today’s final round.
Best of luck today Brendan. May the golfing gods go with you!
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