Dawson best of the Irish as Q-School reaches halfway
Robin Dawson
Four irish players were inside the qualifying mark at halfway in the Second Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.
Tramore’s Robin Dawson shot 73 to share fourth on four-under at halfway at Club de Bonmont in Tarragona with Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell tied sixth after a 71 as they chase a top-19 finish. Derry’s Ruaidhri McGee withdrew after rounds of 74 and 73.
Naas’ Conor O’Rourke followed his 64 with a four-over 75 to slip to 16th on three-under in the race for 20 spots at Las Colinas in Alicante, where Michael Hoey’s second successive 70 left him a shot further back in joint 20th.
David Carey was four shots outside the top 20 on three-over after a 71 at Desert Springs in Almeria but carded a 79 early on Saturday to fall out of contention.
High winds forced play to be suspended at Alenda Golf and when play resumed, Niall Kearney shot 74 to be the best of the bunch, one stroke outside the top 20 on one-over par.
Shannon’s Daniel Brennan is six shots outside the mark after a 76 with Luke Donnelly three shots further back.
Galway’s Irish Amateur Close champion shot a second successive 77 to share 69th.
European Tour Qualifying School Second Stage, Spain
At Alenda Golf, Alicante (Par 72)
Top 20 qualify (Level par 144 or better after 36 holes)
1, F Lacroix (Fra) 66 70 (136).
T24, N Kearney (Irl) 71 74 (145)
T54, D Brennan (Irl) 74 76 (150)
T67, L Donnelly (Irl) 79 74 (153)
T69, R Mullarney (am) (Irl) 77 77 (154)
At Club de Golf Bonmont, Tarragona (Par 72)
Top 19 qualify (-1 143 or better after 36 holes)
1, A Zemmer (Ita) 67 70 (137);
T4, R Dawson (Irl) 67 73 (140);
T6, J Caldwell (NIr) 70 71 (141);
T53, T Hogarty (Irl) 73 77 (150).
WD, R McGee (Irl) 74 73 (147),
At Desert Springs Golf Club, Almería (Par 72)
Top 20 qualify (-1 143 after 36 holes
1, N Flanagan (Aus) 64 70 (134);
T35, D Carey (Irl) 76 71 (147).
At Las Colinas Golf & CC, Alicante (Par 71)
Top 20 qualify (-2 140 after 36 holes)
1, R Gouveia (Por) 67 67 (134);
T16, C O’Rourke (Irl) 64 75 (139);
T20 M Hoey (NIr) 70 70 (140);
T49 JR Galbraith (NIr) 72 72 (144)
