Kearney and McGee looking for big Sundays in Europe
Haotong Li of China plays his tee shot on the11th hole during Day Three of the BMW International Open at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried on June 25, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Niall Kearney is looking to finish the BMW International Open on a high ahead of next week's Horizon Irish Open as Derry's Ruaidhri McGee takes a share of the lead into the final round at the Challenge Tour's Blot Open de Bretagne.
Kearney (34) followed Friday’s 68 with a six-under 66 to share 21st on 10-under par at Golfclub München Eichenried. Scores
He's 10 shots behind China's Li Haotong, who will go in search of his first DP World Tour title in more than four years as he takes a three-stroke lead over Belgium's Thomas Pieters into the final round.
Kearney is making just his seventh start on the DP World Tour this season, but after playing his last 30 holes in 11-under par, he has high hopes for Sunday before he jets home to tee it up at Mount Juliet.
"I had a solid last 12 holes yesterday evening to be here for the weekend," Kearney said. "I've been hitting it great and holing very little but rolled it lovely today and got my share.
"The plan is the same for tomorrow — create the chances and hopefully capitalise on them. It would be great to finish well because I'm really looking forward to Mount Juliet. It should be a stellar week.
Li's last win came in the 2018 Dubai Desert Classic when he outgunned Rory McIlroy in the final round and a five-under 67 saw him extend his five-shot overnight lead to three over former Ryder Cup player Pieters, who shot a six-under 66 as he seeks his seventh DP World Tour win and his third inside eight months.
As for McGee (31), he's seeking his first Challenge Tour win and a remarkable return to tour golf in France.
The Derry man played his first tournament for 21 months in the Spain two weeks ago and shot an eight-under 62 in the second round en route to a tie for 20th,
He went one better at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André in Brittany on Thursday, opening with a nine-under 61 to lead by three strokes.
While he slipped back with a 73 on Friday, he carded a three-under 67 in the third round to share the lead with England's Alfie Plant as he seeks his maiden Challenge Tour win.
The Englishman posted a one-under 69 to leave them two shots clear of halfway leader Robin Sciot-Siegrist of France on nine-under. Scores
McGee believes club selection is key to successfully navigating the links-style course in Brittany.
"I hit a couple of poor shots to start but luckily chipped in for birdie on the second hole," said McGee, who moved to Florida during the pandemic and remained sharp despite playing no tournament golf.
"The wind was strong out there and you have to focus on choosing the right club because it can change at any moment.
"It's tough because I played so well in round one and you get used to seeing everything go into the hole. After hitting a few poor shots yesterday, I kept trying to push and became too aggressive. It's important to just relax and let it happen.”
Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy is tied for 11th on three-under after a 72 with The Island’s Gavin Moynihan joint 31st on two-over after a 71.
