Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell continued his strong start to the Alps Tour season with a four-under 68 in the Red Sea Little Venice Open 2022 at Sokhna Golf Club in Egypt.

The Dubliner (24) made five birdies and a bogey to share 17th place, four strokes behind Dutchman Davey Porsius (26) who posted an eight-under 64 over the B and C Courses to lead by a shot from 17-year-old French amateur Oihan Guillamoundeguy.

“It was a solid day’s work,” said Purcell, who was runner-up in last week’s Ein Bay Open on the A and B Courses at the same venue.

“I didn’t hit it great today but managed to get some key up and downs to start the round and take the odd chance I got going forward.”

Scores

Leader Porsius was also happy with his start.

“It was nice to go early in the morning on the course today,” he said. “Even if it was a little bit chilly and I had a rusty start on the front nine, I came out of the gates on the back nine.

“This configuration of the course is easier to me and I think you don’t have to be as aggressive as last week. I hit some really good wedges which gave me the opportunity to hole lots of putts.”

Italian Federico Livio, Spaniard Manuel Elvira and his compatriot Jacobo Pastor are tied for third after six-under 66s

Castleknock’s David Carey made five birdies in a three-under 69 to share 29th place with The Island’s Paul McBride and West Waterford’s Gary Hurley tied 58th after one-under 71s.

Naas’ Jonathan Yates came back from three-over after four holes to post a level par 72 that left him tied 76th with Mallow’s James Sugrue and Simon Bryan.