Murphy planning pro move after 64 gives him two-shot lead at Alps Tour Q-School
Portumna''s Sam Murphy leads the Alps Tour Q-School with a round to play. Photo Credit: Alps Tour Golf
Portumna’s Sam Murphy will likely turn professional after firing a bogey-free, eight-under 64 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Alps Tour Qualifying School in Italy.
The former Irish Boys and Connacht Strokeplay champion leads on 11-under-par from Italy’s Luca Cavalli following a stunning second round at Golf Nazionale near Rome.
He’s now guaranteed Category 8 membership for 2026, but looks certain to finish in the top 35 after 54 holes, who will be eligible for membership in Category 6.
“I played really good today,” said Grand Canyon University graduate Murphy, who birdied the second, third seventh and 11th before following three birdies in a row from the 14th with another birdie at the 18th.
“It was nice and solid all around. I struggled a little bit yesterday but found a few feelings coming home and was able to keep that momentum throughout today, and it was nice to put together a bogey-free eight-under-par round.”
He went on to explain how strategy played a key role in his round, adding, “This course is much more about placement compared to yesterday’s course, especially in relation to the pins.
“I spoke to my caddie, and you have either green or red-light putts around here, and today I was able to have a lot of green-light putts, which was nice.”
Looking ahead, he said, “I plan on probably turning pro after this week. I’m still competing as an amateur as we wanted to see how this week would go — and it’s obviously going well so far.
“I’m going to do what I did the past few days: go home and rest a bit, then go to dinner and look back at today to see what I did well and what I need to improve on for tomorrow. I’m very much looking forward to the round.”
Murphy, who opened the tournament with a three-under-par 69 at Terre dei Consoli, was one of three Irish amateurs among the 70 players (51 pros and 19 amateurs) who made the two-over cut.
Cathal MacCanna made it with a shot to spare after carding a one-over 73 at Terre dei Consoli to share 50th on one-over 145.
Former professional footballer Stephen Grant birdied the last at Golf Nazionale to make it on the mark, tied for 61st on two-over.
A double-bogey at the 14th left him three-over, but after following a birdie at the 16th with a bogey at the 17th, he two-putted for a closing birdie four and a one-under 71 to go through.
Tom Dowdall shot 72 to miss the cut on five over, with Marc Boucher seven over after a 77. However, both will be eligible for membership in Category 9.
