Grant Forrest leads in Aberdeen as Conor Purcell climbs leaderboard
The Scot, who is based in North Berwick, began his second round four shots off the pace set by overnight leader Richard Sterne, but climbed up the leaderboard thanks to four birdie in his first five holes.
He dropped his only shot at the seventh in windy conditions at Trump International Golf Links before bouncing back at the eighth with a birdie.
Forrest picked up another shot at the 10th and added another birdie at the 16th to be the only player at seven under thanks to his stunning 66, which surpassed the previous mark by one shot set by Sterne during the first round.
"It was tough again today," Forrest said. "The wind was up, just played brilliant to be honest. Gave myself loads of really good chances and controlled my ball really well.
"Rolled a couple of putts in and left a couple out there, and overall great day.
"You don't get too many of those days where things really happen for you. This season has been a bit of a struggle for the most part, so just to play some really good golf is really encouraging.
Ireland's Conor Purcell is comfortably inside the cut mark in tied-25th after a battling round of 72 on Friday.
Starting on the 10th, the Portmarnock golfer was rocked by a double-bogey on 11 but recovered with birdies on the 12th and the par-5 15th. He dropped another shot after missing the short-16th green to the left.
However, he drained a 37ft birdie putt on the second and a dropped stroke on the eighth was quickly answered with a birdie on his final hole at the ninth, after he knocked his approach to 9ft.
The even par round in testing conditions saw the Dubliner climb into the top-25, on one over par overall, three strokes inside the cut mark.
Purcell, who has two top-20 finishes in his maiden season on Tour, has now made three cuts in succession.
Jordan Smith recorded 69 for the second successive round to sit one adrift of Forrest in second, with fellow Englishmen Alex Fitzpatrick and Todd Clements in a share of fifth at two under.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
17 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Eve McMahon up to fifth in dinghy event at Europeans
Decisively putting clear blue ocean between her and the opening race in which she was disqualified on Monday, Dubliner Eve McMahon jumped in the overall standings in the qualification round for the ILCA 6 women's one-person dinghy event of the European Championships. The Howth sailor now lies fifth overall out of 93 entries and is the top U-23-year-old. Crucially, once the third race of the series had been sailed, the single race discard came into force allowing her to drop her weighty opening race score. She had followed that disqualification on Monday with a second place in a sign of her true potential that she then delivered upon in day two today. Sailing more conservatively to avoid further penalties, McMahon still delivered a tenth place and then went on to score another second place this afternoon. She still has another two qualification round races on Wednesday to decide Gold fleet for the final round but her goal remains to add a podium finish for this event to match her bronze medal from this year's World Championships in China. Meanwhile, McMahon's older brother Ewan slipped from third to sixth overall in the ILCA 7 men's event despite also scoring a second place for the day. He had to use his discard to drop a 31st place this afternoon as the wind started to drop. Carlow's Finn Lynch is 12th European in the men's event after two top-ten results keeps him firmly in contention while also watching McMahon as a rival for the a place at the LA Olympics with Team Ireland.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Major blow for Heimir Hallgrimsson as Ireland star could be ruled out of World Cup qualifiers
His potential replacement has kicked off the new club season in style BIG LOSS Major blow for Heimir Hallgrimsson as Ireland star could be ruled out of World Cup qualifiers HEIMIR Hallgrimsson could be without an Ireland veteran after an injury sustained in a pre-season friendly. Robbie Brady missed Preston North End's Championship action over the weekend due to injury. Advertisement 2 The Ireland boss will be hoping Brady makes a speedy recovery 2 The 72-time capped Brady has been heavily involved in the Ireland team since Hallgrimsson took charge Preston were without the Ireland international after he came off with an injury in a friendly game against Man City. PNE went on to draw 1-1 with QPR in the opening game of the season as Ali McCann took the place of the injured Brady. Before the game, Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom revealed the extent of the injury suffered by Ireland's Player of the Year. When speaking to the Irish Examiner, the former Leeds and Sheffield United manager disclosed: 'Robbie got injured in the last game, he did his calf so he'll be out for a couple of weeks. Advertisement "We'll see how we are then. Hopefully, we get the boys back as quickly as possible.' With Ireland's World Cup qualification campaign kicking off on September 9 against Hungary, this will be a worry for Hallgrimsson. Brady has just four weeks to recover from the calf injury and return to full fitness to help the Boys in Green's chances of World Cup qualification. The 33-year-old has seen a revival in his international career since the appointment of Hallgrimsson. Advertisement The Man United academy graduate has become a staple of the Irish side having struggled to get into the team under Stephen Kenny and went 18 months without an appearance. The Dubliner has started all but two of the ten matches Hallgrimsson has been in charge for. Moment Leicester fans applaud protesting Sheffield Wednesday supporters amid crisis club's financial woes Brady even made an appearance on the score sheet when he scored an 88th minute winner against Finland in the Nations League. The former Burnley, Norwich and Hull City full-back's potential replacement will be dependant on the formation being line out. Advertisement Should Hallgrimsson set out with five defenders, the attacking full-back Ryan Manning would be likely to start. The 29-year-old scored a 90th minute equaliser at the weekend for Southampton before his teammate Jack Stephens added an injury time winner to defeat Wrexham on the opening weekend of the season. However, a four at the back formation is more likely to suit Dara O'Shea of Ipswich Town. Despite being right-footed the 26-year-old has lined out on a number of occasions at left-back for Ireland.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
This is the Bazunu save that even had Wrexham boss Parkinson gushing with praise
Gavin Bazunu produced a save last weekend that even left opposition boss Phil Parkinson admiring the Ireland international's handiwork. The Championship meeting between relegated Southampton and promoted Wrexham looked to be heading the Welsh side's way, when Ryan Hardie broke free in the closing minutes. Wrexham were 1-0 up and were odds on to double their lead as Hardie pulled the trigger, but Dubliner Bazunu dived to his left and produced a remarkable fingertip save to deny the Scottish forward. Minutes later, Bazunu's club and country pal Ryan Manning equalised with a stunning free-kick, and deep into injury-time Jack Stephens completed the turnaround by scoring the winner for the Saints. While Manning's free-kick stole most of the headlines, it was clear that Bazunu's save was the moment the game turned in favour of the hosts. And while his side was frustrated by the former Shamrock Rovers and Manchester City netminder's brilliance, Wrexham boss Parkinson couldn't help but acknowledge the stop. 'There were a lot of positives for us. The players acquitted themselves well, and we had chances to kill the game off,' he said. 'To be fair to Ryan Hardie, he's not done a lot wrong. The keeper made a brilliant save.' You can watch Bazunu's wonder-stop below. Bazunu has reclaimed the number one jersey just in time for the September World Cup qualifiers, and after an achilles injury nightmare that ruled him out for almost a year. New Saints boss Will Still confirmed ahead of the new season that the Ireland international would start as his number one, in the wake of Aaron Ramsdale's departure to Newcastle. 'I think Gavin's done really well,' Still said of Bazunu's pre-season form. 'I think he played really well last week out in Spain. He's done well, he's good, and I think as long as he's been as good as he is, he'll play.' The 23-year-old's return to play will give Heimir Hallgrímsson a big boost ahead of the opening qualifiers against Hungary at home and Armenia in Yerevan. Bristol City goalkeeper Max O'Leary, who made his senior Ireland debut in June, has been ruled out for the first few months of the new campaign. However, former St Patrick's Athletic netminder Josh Keeley has pushed himself into contention following his move from Tottenham to League One side Luton Town. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
