Foley one back in bid for maiden win in Egypt
Hugh Foley
Royal Dublin’s will have a chance to notch his first professional win when he goes into the final round of the Alps Tour’s New Giza Open just one stroke behind a trio of leaders.
The Dubliner added a five-under 67 to his opening 66 to share fourth place on 11-under par with Spain’s Juan Salama Monsalve (66) at New Giza Golf Club in Cairo.
They are one stroke behind Argentina’s Gato Bertinotti (67), Quentin Debove of France (66) and Javier Barcos of Spain (66).
“My round today was solid, just like yesterday. I stayed focused on my strategy, taking it shot by shot,” said Bertinnoti (29), who is seeking his first win on the Alps Tour since turning professional in 2018.
“Unfortunately, I struggled a bit off the tee and wasn’t able to hit the ball well. However, I managed to make some great recoveries, which I believe were the key to staying positive and capitalising on my good shots.
“The game plan will remain the same as it has been for the past two days and the last two weeks. I’ve been in similar positions before, both as an amateur and as a professional, and I believe I’m much more mature and prepared for whatever comes tomorrow.”
Debov (23) turned professional at the end of last year and after a 15th-place finish at the Ein Bay Open and a second-place finish at the Red Sea Little Venice Open, he’s a man in form.
“I was in a similar position last week, so I’m quite excited for tomorrow,” he said. “I’m just going to focus on getting off to a good start. My ball-striking is solid enough, so if I keep doing everything right, I’ll do my best.”
Barcos (23) turned professional for the DP World Tour Q School first stage last year and feels good about his chances.
Foley is another fledgling professional, and while he dropped shot at the ninth and 10th, a birdie-birdie-eagle start, followed by further birdies at the sixth and eighth, gave him room for manoeuvre before he finished his day with a birdie three at the 18th.
Kinsale’s John Murphy is tied for 10th on seven-under after a 71 with Robert Moran (68) and Ronan Mullarney (69) two shots further back in 17th.
Marc Boucher missed the three-under-par cut after a 76 left him on six-over.
