Murphy six back in fog-delayed Costa Brava Challenge

John Murphy

Kinsale’s John Murphy was six strokes behind French pacesetter Frederic Lacroix after playing just 10 holes in his fog-delayed opening round in the Costa Brava Challenge at Empordà Golf.

Ranked 69th in the Road to Mallorca standings with only the top 45 making the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final in a fortnight, the Cork man (23) likely needs a top 3 finish to keep alive his hopes of winning one of 20 European Tour cards awarded to the leading points winners at the end of the season.

Scores

Tied third at the same venue in last week’s Mallorca Challenge, Murphy mixed a birdie at the par-five 12th with nine pars to share 35th place on one-under.

Lacroix posted a seven under 64 to open a two-stroke lead over a group of seven following a delay of two hours and 40 minutes at the start of the day due to heavy fog.

Michael Hoey, 35th in the rankings, was tied 55th on level par through 10 holes.