Conor Purcell will return on Sunday for his final 13 holes as Benjamin Hébert remains in pole position in the Swiss Challenge after the third day of play was washed out at Golf Saint Apollinaire. Due to persistent inclement weather and a flooded course, the 2024 Swiss Challenge will now be played over 36 holes. After a five-hour weather delay to play on the opening day, the entirety of day three was washed out without a ball being hit in Folgensbourg, with the tournament officially reduced to 36 holes.
Purcell sits tied for 15th alongside Cormac Sharvin and Gary Hurley, though the Portmarnock man is the only Irishman with holes yet to play as both Sharvin and Hurley had completed their second rounds on Friday. Six of the 14 players ahead of the Irish trio have already played their final strokes, so Purcell will be looking to push his way up the leaderboard and further consolidate his high ranking on the Road to Mallorca standings and perhaps have an outside chance of capturing his second Challenge Tour victory from five shots off the lead.
Frenchman Hébert will enter the final day in front on six under par having played four holes of his second round, one shot clear of Englishman Ben Stow who is yet to begin his second. Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist is the clubhouse leader having carded rounds of 71-69 to sit in solo third on four under par.
The Weather Disrupted Tournament
The Swiss Challenge has been a test of patience and resilience for all the players, with the weather playing a significant role in shaping the tournament. The opening day saw a five-hour delay due to flooding, forcing a suspension of play. Day two saw a similar fate, with the round being suspended due to darkness after just three holes. The third day was completely washed out, leading to the decision to shorten the tournament to 36 holes.
Purcell's Road to Recovery
Purcell’s journey through the Swiss Challenge has been one of fluctuating fortunes. His second round began with a disappointing double bogey-seven on the first hole and a bogey on the par-3 third. This setback put him five shots behind the leader, Hébert, who had a strong start to his second round, birding his opening two holes.
However, Purcell is not one to be deterred easily. He has a history of fighting back, and he is determined to make the most of his final 13 holes. He’ll be drawing on his experience from last week’s Italian Challenge, where he finished in fifth place and climbed back into the top 10 on the Road to Mallorca rankings. His bogey-free round in the first round of the Swiss Challenge is further testament to his resilience. He’s also been able to maintain his focus despite the disruptions caused by the weather.
A Race Against Time
The final round will be a race against time for Purcell. He needs to make up five shots to catch Hébert, and he’ll be aiming to consolidate his position on the Road to Mallorca standings. He knows that he’ll need to play with a high level of focus and concentration to achieve his goals. As Purcell puts it, “I have to take it shot by shot and keep my focus throughout. I will try to do my best because there is an important weekend coming up.”
A Final Push for Victory
While Hébert leads the pack with a comfortable margin, the Swiss Challenge is far from over. Purcell's 13-hole stretch could be a game-changer, offering him the opportunity to launch a late surge for victory. His determination and ability to adapt to challenging conditions have been evident throughout the tournament, and he has a chance to make history by claiming his second Challenge Tour victory. The final round will see a dramatic finish as Purcell looks to make the most of his final 13 holes and close the gap on the leader. Will Purcell's final push be enough for him to secure a second Challenge Tour victory? Or will Hébert maintain his lead to claim the title? The answer awaits in the final round of the Swiss Challenge.
