Eagle boost for O'Driscoll in Marbella
The Island's Kevin LeBlanc watches the opposition in Spain on Saturday
A late eagle helped Killarney's Tommy O'Driscoll soar into fifth place entering the final round of the Copa Andalucía near Marbella.
The 18-year old Ulster Boys champion hit a huge drive and a seven iron to 12 feet to set up a three at the par-five 17th, carding a three under 69 to get to two under par at Real Club de Golf Guadalmina.
He's in fifth place, five strokes behind Spanish international Pep Angles, who shot a 70 to lead by one from team mate Mario Galinao and by two from Victor Pastor on seven under.
But while it was a good day for O'Driscoll, who also had three birdies and two bogeys as he outscored Spanish Boys champion Xabier Gorospe by nine shots, the 17th proved to be a costly hole for Junior Open champion Kevin LeBlanc.
The teenager from The Island chose a two iron off the tee but pushed it into trees and ran up a triple bogey eight en route to a 75 that leaves him in 16th spot on five over.
Limerick's Mark MacGrath birdie three of his last four holes to make the 54-hole cut for the Top 45 by a stroke, carding a three over 75 to go into the final round in 34th place on 10 over.
MacGrath was six over for the day after 13 holes but birdied the 14th and the par-five 16th and 17th to make the final round.
COPA ANDALUCÍA MASCULINA, Real Club de Golf Guadalmina (after 54 holes)
1 Pep Angles Ros 68 71 70 209 -7
2 Mario Galiano Aguilar 68 70 72 210 -6
3 Victor Pastor Rufian 69 74 68 211 -5
4 Scott William Fernandez Salmon 70 70 73 213 -3
5 Tommy O'Driscoll 72 73 69 214 -2
Other Irish ---
16 Kevin LeBlanc 73 73 75 221 +5
34 Mark MacGrath 77 74 75 226 +10
