Purcell makes move in Scottish Challenge as Perez and Wallace lead Dutch Open

Conor Purcell. ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

France’s Victor Perez and England’s Matt Wallace have a one-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round of the Dutch Open at Bernardus Golf.

Perez carded a three-under 69 to set the target as he chases a second DP World Tour victory, only to see four-time winner Wallace birdie the last for a 70 to join him on 10-under.

In-form Kiwi Ryan Fox, Australian Scott Hend, Italy's Guido Migliozzi and Swede Sebastian Soderberg are a shot back on nine-under with Sweden’s Alexander Björk, Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia and Pole Adrian Meronk a further shot behind. 

With the top-15 separated by just five shots, the final round promises to be a cavalry charge. 

There are also spots up for grabs in The 150th Open with Perez, Wallace and Fox the top three not already exempt on course to earn their tickets to St Andrews.

Meanwhile, Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell fired four birdies in a row from the ninth to card a four-under 67 and move up to tied 10th heading into the final round of the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A.

The former Walker Cup player (24) followed a bogey at the third with a birdie at the fourth, then hit a purple patch around the turn to get to four-under-par.

“It was a nice run and the putter got hot for a few holes,” said Purcell, who is seven strokes behind Switzerland’s Jeremy Freiburghaus at Newmachar Golf Club in Aberdeenshire.

“I did nothing crazy but played nice and steady and kept myself in play.”

Freiburghaus (25) carded a bogey-free, seven-under-par 64 to lead by four shots on 11-under from Englishmen Tom Sloman and Nathan Kimsey as he seeks his maiden European Challenge Tour title.

Greystones’ Paul Dunne made four birdies and six bogeys in a 73 to share 56th on three-over with Kinsale’s John Murphy 65th on five-over after an adventurous 75.