<p>Conor Purcell. Credit ©INPHO/Bryan Keane</p>
Portmarnock's Conor Purcell took advantage of a sponsor's invitation and closed with a bogey-free, four-under 68 to claim second place in the Alps Tour’s Ein Bay Open at Sokhna Golf Club in Egypt.
"It was particularly tough knowing I had to shoot five or six-under-par to win," said Purcell, who finished two strokes behind Italy's Stefano Mazzoli on 12-under par for his best finish as a professional, earning €3,940.
"But I'm happy with my score also because the weather got a little windier on the course. I can't complain about my game even if I had the chance to make a few more birdies. Congratulations to Stefano, who played a very solid third round here.
"I played the par-fives well to make up most of my score and had some key up and downs throughout to save par."
Purcell could not tee it up in the Alps Tour Q-School last year due to illness but will also tee it up on an invitation in the Red Sea Little Venice Open from Sunday.
it was also a good week for West Waterford's Gary Hurley, who turned in one-over before picking up four birdies on the back nine to card a three-under 69 and tie for seventh on eight-under.
Mallow's James Sugrue made five birdies in a one-under 71 and Naas Jonathan Yates carded a 72 to leave them tied 25th on four-under.
Article Link: Career-best runner-up finish for Purcell in Egypt; Hurley tied seventh - News - Irish Golf Desk