Sam Murphy sticking to the routine to defend Irish Boys Championship lead

The Portumna golfer, who turned 18 last week, is two clear at Thurles Golf Club

Sam Murphy (Portumna) holes his birdie putt on the 18th green in the second round of the 2020 Irish Boys Under-18 Amateur Close Championship at Thurles Golf Club today. Picture by Pat Cashman

Sam Murphy will stick to his trusted formula of a singular focus and a good night’s sleep in his own bed as he prepares to take a two-stroke lead into Wednesday’s final round of the Irish Boys Championship at Thurles Golf Club.

The Portumna golfer, who turned 18 last week, posted a second-round four-under-par 68 at Thurles to reach five-under after 36 holes, two clear of Joseph Byrne from Baltinglass, before heading back just over the Tipperary/Galway border to rest up ahead of the final round.