Conor Purcell has put himself in contention in Mallorca. Photo: Sportsfile
Conor Purcell opened with a bogey-free 67 to lie just five shots off the pace in the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final in Mallorca.
Bidding to become the first Irish player for 30 years to top the rankings and graduate to the DP World Tour in style, the Portmarnock man was tied for eighth on five-under par.
He was five shots behind Spain’s Angel Ayora, who shot a course record 62 to lead by one from Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
Purcell can still finish the season as Challenge Tour number one if he wins and points leader John Parry finishes no higher than third.
He could also finish third and still win the rankings if Parry finishes no higher than 22nd, Neergaard-Petersen 11th and Hamish Brown seventh.
Gary Hurley was tied 18th after a 70 but projected to fall one spot to 44th in the points list, with Dermot McElroy projected 41st after putting poorly for 73 in his first event back after a five-week injury layoff.
Eleven Irishmen are also looking to win cards via Q-School, but just four were inside the qualifying places after their first rounds in the penultimate stage in Spain.
Jonny Caldwell’s seven-under 65 left him joint second at Desert Springs in the race for 22 spots in next week’s final stage.
Liam Nolan was tied for 10th after a 67 and Paul Dunne 23rd after a 68.
Two-under 70s left Mark Power and Max Kennedy tied for 13th as they chase 23 spots at Isla Canela Links.
At the LET’s Aramco Team Series in Riyadh, Lauren Walsh was tied for 10th after opening with a four-under 68 to trail Luna Sobron Galmes, Charley Hull and Pia Babnik by three.
At the LPGA’s TOTO Japan Classic, Leona Maguire’s three-under 69 left her tied for 15th, six shots behind Hana Wakimoto heading into round two.
Challenge Tour Grand Final
Live, Sky Sports, 8.30
Aramco Team Series
Live, Sky Sports, 10.0