David Drysdale came within a whisker of claiming his first European Tour win at the 498th time of asking earlier this season at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and he will have another chance on Sunday at the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open.
The Scot had previously finished second three times before his duel in the desert with Jorge Campillo, where he missed a ten footer on the last for victory and then barely put a foot wrong over five play-off holes before the Spaniard bested him with a birdie.
His tally of events now stands at 508 and should he claim a victory in round four of event number 509 at Aphrodite Hills Resort, he will match England's Malcolm Mackenzie, who claimed his maiden victory in his 509th start at the 2002 Novotel Perrier Open de France.
The odds that two men should claim a first victory on that number are astronomical and Drysdale, who heads into the final 18 holes just a shot off the lead, does not want to leave anything to chance.
"Obviously, I've been out here a long time, I haven't won," he said. "I won a couple of tournaments on Challenge Tour.
"I haven't had that many opportunities, you need to try to seize the opportunities, they have been few and far between.
"Just got to be patient and play some good golf. The golf that I played for the first 15 holes today is good golf, so if I can do that for the next 18 holes, we'll see where it gets me.
"I remember Malcolm Mackenzie's win at Paris National. I don't believe in fate, but it would be nice if it happened."
Drysdale's 68 was highlighted by two incredible shots: a tee-shot on the par three fifth that was inches from a hole-in-one and an up-and-down on the 18th from the putting green that brought him a closing birdie.
Taking dead aim.
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 31, 2020
David Drysdale was this close to a hole in one 😲#CyprusOpen pic.twitter.com/pKsbwNXwmj
He said of his closing effort: "It's a tough carry for me to get over that bunker so I'm trying to give it everything I've got.
"I just blocked it right, lucky not to be OB, to be honest. Nice bare lie, nice gap between two trees. Tried to get it left, near the bunker or just over the green.
"I couldn't see it for the sun, no idea where it was. It was a couple of yards from the out of bounds. Free drop, 65 yards from the flag into the wind. Lovely little pitch shot and nice 12 foot putt to finish.
"Was pretty much in control until the last three holes. Tee shot left on 16, tried to hold a five iron into 17, double crossed it, and then you saw the last.
"For 15 holes it was some good ball striking, in control in the wind. It was a slightly tougher day. I would say three under is a fair reflection."
