Ireland’s contingent of golfers bidding to earn their cards at the European Tour qualifying school in southern Spain are in danger of returning home empty handed.
With one round remaining before the field is trimmed, only David Higgins at two-under par stands to survive beyond tomorrow. The Waterville golfer is currently tied for 48th position, with only 75 and ties of the 168-strong field being invited back for a final two rounds at San Roque.
Paddy Gribben (three over) holds a share of 93rd position, Gary Murphy (four over) is 102nd while former Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton (six over) languishes in 119th position. It’s a familiar tale of woe for Walton, the 39-year-old having failed qualifying school on two other occasions.
Walton will need to improve markedly on the 74 he shot today, his third of the week, if he is to make it third time lucky this year. Otherwise, the former English and French Open champion will once again have to rely on sponsors invites if he is to ply his trade on the main Tour next season.
At the happy end of the leaderboard, four players share the lead at nine-under par. England’s Matthew Cort, Swede Dennis Edlund and Belgians Nicolas Vanhootegem and Didier De Vooght hold a one-stroke advantage.
After the final two rounds, involving the 75 golfers who survive tomorrow’s cut, 35 and ties will earn a place on next season's circuit.