McBride, Purcell and McGee progress at Korn Ferry Tour Q-School

Connor Syme (GB&I) and Paul McBride (GB&I) , let to right, talk over their shot during foursomes at the 2017 Walker Cup at The Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif. on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (Copyright USGA/Chris Keane)

The Island’s Paul McBride, Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell and Derry’s Ruaidhri McGee are through to the Second Stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School.

McBride shot a level par 71 in the fourth round at The Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis, North Carolina, to share sixth place on 12-under, seven shots behind the winner.

The 20 and ties progressed to the Second Stage but while Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell shot 67 to make it on the mark, tied for 17th on eight-under, Waterford’s Kevin Phelan missed out by a shot after a 68. Scores

McGee closed with a seven-under 65 to qualify in fifth place on 13-under par at The Breakers Rees Jones in West Palm Beach in Florida. Scores

While Rosslare’s Paul Murphy closed with a one-under 71, he finished nine shots outside the seven-under qualifying mark on two-over.

The Irish have enjoyed mixed fortunes so far.

Devin Morley and Eoin Leonard had no luck at Valdosta in Georgia while David Carey and Gary Hurley missed out at Winter Garden in Florida.

However, Holywood’s Tom McKibbin qualified in seventh in Arizona and now joins McBride, McGee and Purcell in the Second Stage later this month.

Korn Ferry Tour Q-School Schedule

12-15 Oct 2nd Stage - Brooksville, FL Southern Hills Plantation · Brooksville, FL

19-22 Oct 2nd Stage - Albuquerque, NM UNM Championship Course · Albuquerque, NM

19-22 Oct 2nd Stage - Dothan, AL RTJ - Highlands/Marshwood · Dothan, AL

19-22 Oct 2nd Stage - Murrieta, CA Bear Creek Golf Club · Murrieta, CA

19-22 Oct 2nd Stage - Plantation, FL Plantation Preserve GC · Plantation, FL

4-7 Nov Finals - Savannah, GA The Landings Club - Marsh · Savannah, GA