O'Rourke and Dawson make flying starts at Qualifying School Second Stage

Conor O’Rourke. Picture: Jimmy Penrose

Naas’ Conor O’Rourke and Portmarnock Links’ Robin Dawson made blistering starts at the Second Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

Dawson opened with a five-under par 67 to share the lead at Bonmont in Tarragona where Clandeboye’s Jonny Caldwell was joint seventh after a 70.

O’Rourke was pleased with his “attitude and patience” as he made an eagle and five birdies in a seven-under 64 to lead outright at Las Colinas in Alicante while Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney was tied 20th after a one-under 71 at nearby Alenda Golf.

Galway’s Irish Amateur Close champion Ronan Mullarney faces an uphill battle at Alenda, however, after opening with five-over 77.

The numbers to progress to next week Final Stage will be confirmed on Friday with the top 15-18 and ties the traditional mark from fields of 83.

European Tour Qualifying School Second Stage, Spain

(Click links for scores)

At Alenda Golf, Alicante (Par 72):

T1, F Lacroix (Fra) 66, N Bradley (Sco) 66;

T20 N Kearney (Irl) 71;

T50 D Brennan (Irl) 74;

T72 R Mullarney (Irl, Am) 77;

T77 L Donnelly (Irl) 79.

At Club de Golf Bonmont, Tarragona (Par 72):

T1, R Dawson (Irl) 67, A Zemmer (Ita) 67;

T7 J Caldwell (NIr) 70;

T42 T Hogarty (Irl) 73;

T55 R McGee (Irl) 74.

At Desert Springs Golf Club, Almería (Par 72):

1, J Ritchie (RSA) 63;

2, N Flanagan (Aus) 64;

T76 D Carey (Irl) 76.

At Las Colinas Golf & CC, Alicante (Par 71):

1, C O’Rourke (Irl) 64;

T40 M Hoey (NIr) 70;

T56 JR Galbraith (NIr) 72.