Higgins in the mix in Spain

By Brian Keogh

Waterville wonder David Higgins moved into contention for his first European Tour victory in Marbella.

The Munster man had five birdies in a super 68 to trail leader Louis Oosthuizen by just three shots in the Open de Andalucia.

After losing his card last year, Higgins has every chance of winning it back with a top prize of €166,660 for the winner.

Oosthuizen hit a five under par 67 to lead by a stroke on 10 under par from Gonzalo Fernandez Castano, Francois Delamontagne and Matthew Zions.

Damien McGrane is the next best of the Irish on two under par after a 70 with Paul McGInley nine adrift of the leader on one under after a 72.

On the Challenge Tour, Michael Hoey and Colm Moriarty are leading the Irish charge at the halfway stage of Allianz Golf Open de Toulouse.

Hoey followed his opening 64 with two over 74 to trail leaders Michiel Bothma and Christian Reimbold by three shots on six under par.

Moriarty charged up the leaderboard from 56th to seventh thanks to a five under par 67 with Dubliner Stephen Browne a shot further back after a 70.

Donegal’s Michael McGeady is on two under going into the weekend action after his second consecutive 71.