Conor Purcell is targeting back-to-back wins on the island of Ireland when he tees it up in the Irish Challenge at The K Club this week.
The Irishman secured a maiden Challenge Tour title in the Black Desert NI Open presented by Tom McKibbin at Galgorm on Sunday, and he is now hoping to make it two consecutive victories on the Road to Mallorca.
“One of my goals at the start of the year was to win on the Challenge Tour,” he said. “I’ve put myself into winning positions a few times this season and not got over the line, so it was nice to do it so close to home last week.
“It kind of felt like I was playing in my back garden because I was hitting fairways and getting cheers from the crowd. It was a surreal environment, especially walking up 18 because I could soak it all in.
“I had a good celebration with my family and friends on Sunday evening and I can’t wait to get going again on home soil at The K Club.”
The 27-year-old catapulted himself up to fourth position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and is in prime position to secure his DP World Tour card, with the top 20 at the conclusion of the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A earning graduation to Golf’s Global Tour.
“I feel like my game is in a really good place and I’m going to keep focusing on the things I have been working on because it’s a long year and we still have 13 events left. Hopefully I can push on and get another win under my belt.
“I’m in a nice position now on the Rankings and my aim is to finish inside the top 20. It’s not the time to step off the gas because I need to finish the job off.”
Purcell finished in a tie for fifth at The K Club in 2022 and he is relishing the prospect of teeing it up on home soil once again this week.
“I’ve had some good results in the Irish Challenge, and I put it down to playing in a comfortable environment,” he said. “I’m able to stay at home this week because I live close to The K Club and being able to do the normal things in life between the golf is what I enjoy.
“The K Club has always been one of the most attractive venues in Ireland and it really shines as a parkland layout, especially with the pedigree of hosting the Ryder Cup in 2006. The facilities are fantastic, and it provides us with a true test.”
Purcell will have the added incentive of competing for the Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the highest finishing Irishman this week, and this player will earn a spot in the 2024 Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down.
The Irishman joins a strong field in Co. Kildare, which includes defending champion Brandon Robinson Thompson, Road to Mallorca Number One Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and seven-time DP World Tour winner Álvaro Quirós.
The Irish Challenge will get under way at 7:30am local time, with Purcell playing alongside Robinson Thompson and Neergaard-Petersen at 8:30am.
