Mullarney blasts 64 to challenge for Alps Tour win in Spain

Ronan Mullarney continued his excellent Alps Tour season in Spain when he carded an eight under 64 to go into the final round of the Alps de Las Castillas just two shots off the lead.

The Galway man (29) is playing some of the best golf of his career and a bogey-free eight 64 left him just two strokes behind Matteo Cristoni at Club de Golf Las Pinaillas in Albacete.

Mullarney won twice in 2023 to win the Alps Tour Order of Merit and secure his promotion to the HotelPlanner Tour for the 2024 season.

He’s eighth in the Order of Merit after 12 events and feels ready to push on today.

“Up until today, I didn’t think the course really suited me,” said Mullarney, who narrowly failed to qualify for The Open when he lost in a playoff at Final Qualifying.

“I played Q-School here last year, and it didn’t go great, but I played nicely today. The same again tomorrow would be nice.”

He was particularly pleased with the clean scorecard, adding: “Overall, a good day of golf today, but what stands out the most to me is the bogey-free bit, which I like.” 

Royal Dublin’s Hugh Foley shares sixth place on eight under after a 65 as he looks to move up from 27th in the Order of Merit and challenge for one of five HotelPlanner Tour promotions.

Michael Young, who is 64th in the Order of Merit, shares 10th on seven under after a 69.

Robert Moran missed the four-under cut by three despite his 68 while Marc Boucher was four over after a 72.