Royal Dublin’s Neil O’Briain racked up a double bogey seven at the last to fall into a five-way share of the lead after the first round of the Audi Cork Irish Masters at the Fota Island Resort.
Popular Kilkenny man Gary Murphy faces a 10-round marathon to win back his European Tour card.
The affable 38-year old is just one of 12 Irishmen set to peg it up over 72 holes in the Second Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School at four venues in southern Spain from November 26-29 and, hopefully, the six round Finals in Catalunya.
An impressive Niall Kearney fired eight birdies in a superb, six under par 66 to clinch his place in this week's European Tour Qualifying School finals.
Challenge Tour trio Colm Moriarty, Simon Thornton and Jonathan Caldwell remained on course to make next week's final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.
Almost 300 players are battling for 74 places in the finals at PGA Golf Catalunya at four second stage venues but nine of Ireland's 12 hopefuls are in danger of missing out.
The dream is still alive for eight of the 37 Irishmen who entered Stage One of the European Tour Qualifying School.
Niall Kearney had to sweat in BerlinAll 12 entrants failed at Section A last week but eight of the 25 starters in Section B survived and will tee it up at one of four Stage Two venues in Spain in November.
St Margarets' John Kelly was the top man when he finished tied third on 12 under at The Oxfordshire after a closing 69. It was his fourth successive sub-par round at a venue where 28 qualified on four under par 284 or better.
Walker Cup ace Niall Kearney blasted a third round 68 in Germany to keep his tour dream alive at the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.
Mervyn Owens is looking good in BerlinWith the top 27 and ties progressing to November’s second stage, the Royal Dublin amateur moved into a share of eighth place on five under at Fleesensee near Berlin with Mallow's Mervyn Owens a shot further back after a 73.
In France, Ulsterman Eddie Barr hit a 70 at Golf de Moliets to move into a share of eighth on eight under par with Limerick’s Cian McNamara well-placed in tied 15th on six under.
John Kelly repaid the faith shown in him by Padraig Harrington when he fired a second round 68 to keep his European Tour dream alive at the first stage of the Qualifying School.
Harrington and Kelly in the Irish PGA at The European Club, 2009Harrington and his brother Tadhg have been guiding Kelly's progress behind the scenes and his hard work with "Harrington Golf" looks to be paying off at The Oxfordshire.
A four under par effort left the 38 year old St Margarets man tied for fifth place on six under par with the top 27 and ties progressing to November's second stage.
David Higgins, Eddie Barr and Mervyn Owens were the best of the bunch as eight of Ireland’s 25-strong contingent broke par on the in the first round of The European Tour First Qualifying Stage – Section B.
David HigginsWaterville man Higgins, 36, fired a four under par 68 to share second place at the Oxfordshire, a stroke behind Scot Gavin Dear, with St Margaret’s John Kelly and Mallow's Michael Collins tied for ninth after two under par 70s.
Australia based Barr hit a four under par 68 at Golf de Moliets in France where former European Tour player, Olivier David is leading after an opening 64.
Barr is joint 14th while Limerick’s Cian McNamara and Newbridge man Paul O’Hanlon made positive starts with one under 71s leaving them tied 30th.
Former South of Ireland champion Owens, who plays regularly on the EPD mini tour in Germany, lit it up at Fleesensee G&C near Berlin with a five under 67 as Walker Cup star Niall Kearney opened with an excellent 71.
Walker Cup player Niall Kearney is one of 37 Irishmen who have entered the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School later this month.
The 21-year old Royal Dublin amateur will tee it up in a 115-man field at Fleesensee Golf and Country Club near Berlin from September 22-25 alongside Justin Brink and fellow South of Ireland champions Mark Campbell and Mervyn Owens.
Kearney is one of six Irish amateurs amongst the 749 hopefuls who will begin their bids of European Tour cards at stage one. The others are Ulstermen Byron Campbell and Ruairi McGee, Newlands’ Irish international Cian Curley, Royal Dublin’s Neil O Briain and Portmarnock’s James Fox.
Portstewart’s Paul Cutler, who was disappointed not to make the Walker Cup side this year, has not entered.
Amateur stars Shane Lowry, Paul O'Hanlon and Jonathan Caldwell have entered the first stage of this month's European Tour Qualifying School.
The trio form part of a 34 strong Irish army bidding to make it all the way to the third and Final Stage at PGA Golf de Catalunya in Spain from November 13-18.
