David Higgins drives on the ninth at PGA Catalunya Resort’s Stadium Course.David Higgins only has himself to blame but he will remember the name Hans Peter Bacher for some time after agonisingly missing the cut by a single shot at the European Tour Qualifying School Finals in Spain.

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Nick Dougherty. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieNick Dougherty confessed that he could end up in the nuthouse if he reflects for too long on how poorly he’s played this year.

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Ben Crenshaw often used an old Texas expression to explain why struggling golfers shouldn’t try too hard change their games in the cauldron of battle.

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David Higgins two putts the par-five 18th on the Tour Course for his sixth birdie of the day at PGA Catalunya. David Higgins drew on his vast experience to keep his cool and open with a five under par 65 at the European Tour Qualifying School finals on an otherwise frustrating day for Ireland’s hopefuls.

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Keeping things in perspective is crucial for the 156 hopefuls who will tee it up in the first round of the European Tour Qualifying School finals at PGA Catalunya over the next six days.

But while players such as Waterville’s David Higgins and Liverpudlian Nick Dougherty have tasted the big time and know what it takes to get there, juggling desire and expectations with mounting pressure is the big challenge for the less experienced campaigners at Denis O’Brien’s 36-hole Catalan resort.

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David Higgins is closing in on his tour card. Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieClandeboye’s Jonny Caldwell survived a three-hole playoff to keep his European Tour dream alive and give Ireland four runners in the Q-School finals from December 10-15.

Waterville’s David Higgins and Limerick’s Cian McNamara qualified with a shot to spare at Las Colinas Golf and Country Club in Alicante while Ballymena’s Chris Devlin fired a brilliant, four under 67 to finish two shots inside the mark at El Valle in Murcia.

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Neil O’Briain is looking good at stage two of the Q-School. Picture by Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieJust two Irish players are bang on course to make this week’s European Tour Qualifying School Finals with just one round to go at the second stage in Spain.

More than 300 players, across four venues in southern Spain are bidding for a place at the six-round final stage at PGA Catalunya near Girona from December 10-15.

But with only today’s fourth and final round remaining, only Dubliner Neil O’Briain and Galwayman Mark Staunton are inside the top 20 who are sure to progress from each venue.

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Cian McNamara has his eye on a place at the Q-School finals. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie.Limerick assistant Cian McNamara and Royal Dublin talent Neil O’Briain battled their way into the top-10 after the opening round of the European Tour Qualifying School second stage in Spain.

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Niall Turner in action during the first round of the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieHe may still be able to fall back on the Asian Tour but Muskerry’s Niall Turner is one of nearly 300 hopefuls chasing their dream at the second stage of the 2012 European Tour Qualifying School in Spain over the next four days.

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Michael Collins. (Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie) Jonny Caldwell, Aaron O’Callaghan and Noel Fox made the top 15 who came through the European Tour Qualifying School First Stage at Dundonald Links.

But there was heartbreak for Cork’s Michael Collins, who was ninth overnight but slipped one shot outside the seven over par qualifying mark after a final round 77.

It was an even tougher day for former European Tour stalwart Gary Murphy as he crashed to an 80 to miss out on a place in Stage Two by five shots, slipping from 13th overnight to 18th place.

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The 16th at Dundonald Links. Five of the 10 Irish entrants are poised to progress with Clandeboye’s Jonny Caldwell and Scottish amateur Philip McLean tied for the lead with a round to play in the First Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School at Dundonald Links.

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Gary Murphy in action at the Irish Open this year. Photo Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieGary Murphy started well but former Walker Cup player Jonny Caldwell is just one stroke off the pace after a marathon day at Stage One of the European Tour Qualifying School at Dundonald Links.

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Updated on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 22:44 by Brian Keogh

Crisis? What crisis? No fewer than 41 Irish players have stumped up the €1,600 entry fee to follow their dream and enter the First Qualifying Stage of the European Tour School.

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Gary Murphy at the Iberdrola Open in Mallorca in May. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieGary Murphy found some form ahead of next week’s Irish Open when he went from missing the cut to the fringes of contention at the English Challenge.

The 38 year old shot a five under par 67 at the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa to move to three under for the tournament – six shots off the lead.

Jamie Moul, a former Walker Cup team mate of Rory McIlroy and World Amateur Number One, is the man in command of a nine under par lead heading into the weekend.

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The 18th at Stoke by Nayland.Colm Moriarty was the leading Irishman after round one of the English Challenge following his opening one under par 71 at the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa.

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