Murphy bookends sensational 62 with eagles to lurk one back in Finland
John Murphy pictured after the final round of the Irish Challenge at the Palmer South course at The K Club. Picture: Niall O'Shea
John Murphy started and finished with eagles en route to a sensational 10-under 62 that left him just a shot behind German duo Velten Meyer and Marc Hammer heading into the final day of the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge.
The Kinsale man holed his approach from 64 yards for eagle at the 18th to come home in a blistering 29 to finish on 18-under par.
Murphy came into the week on hot form, having finished third in his home Challenge Tour event at The K Club last week..
”Obviously, it was a bit of fun,” joked Murphy, who bogeyed the second and fourth before covering his last 13 holes in 10-under thanks to birdies at the sixth, eighth, ninth, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th before that spectacular finish.
“Started off with an eagle which was nice, hit it to about four-feet. Got a bit shaky there for a while, thought I was losing it, but thankfully made a few coming in to add up to 62 so I won’t complain.
“Made a great birdie on 12 in the midst of the rain. Was kind of a free for all from there really! Hit fairways, hit greens, made a couple coming in.
“On the last, my caddy gave me a great number, 68 yards and I ended up holing it. I said to him walking up to the ball I needed to hole it to shoot 29!
“I’ve been putting myself in good positions, in the last three weeks, I’ve been in the final group or close to it. This is why I get up in the morning and practice. This is what we live for as golfers, for moments like this.”
For the 24-year-old, the plan is simple for the rest of the today, ahead of a big day and potential victory tomorrow.
“Probably go to the gym and hang out with the lads. There is a strong Irish contingent here this week and we’ve been having loads of fun. I’m sure that’ll pass the day pretty easily. The Premier League starts today, so I’m sure that’ll add a few hours onto it!”
Mallow’s James Sugrue shot a two-under 70 and Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell a 68 to share 27th on nine-under,
Gary Hurley shot 71 to share 35th on eight-under with Paul McBride three--under after a 73.
Meanwhile, Paul Dunne is chasing his first top 10 for more than three years in the Cazoo Classic at Celtic Manor.
The Greystones man is tied 11th on one-under after a third round 71, ten strokes behind England’s Callum Shinkwin, whose 65 gave him a one-shot lead over France’s Julien Guerrier.
Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney is tied 64th on eight-over after a 76.
