Bryan and Sugrue hit birdie trail to lead Irish challenge at Alps Tour Q-School
Simon Bryan
Simon Bryan made seven birdies in an impressive 67 to lead the Irish challenge heading into today’s final round of the Alps Tour Qualifying School in rain-lashed Italy.
An Alps Tour regular, Bryan is tied for 11th on four-under after making seven birdies, including five in seven holes in a homeward 31, in a five-under round at Terre dei Consoli near Rome.
He’s just five shots behind France’s Martin Couvra, who leads by one stroke from a three-man group on nine-under in the race to finish in the top 35 and ties.
Mallow’s James Sugrue made the most of a fast start to move into position to clinch his card.
The 24-year old former Amateur champion made an eagle, four birdies, one bogey and a double-bogey in a three-under 69 at Golf Nazionale to move up 10 places to tied 22nd on two-under.
Amateur James Sugrue tees off on the 17th hole during the first round at the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course) in Mamaroneck, N.Y. on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. (Darren Carroll/USGA)
Starting on the back nine, Sugrue opened with back to back birdies, bogeyed the long par-three 12th but birdied the par-five 14th, then almost holed his second shot for an albatross at the 545 yard 18th.
“I’m playing decent at the moment and I feel when a couple putts drop, I always shoot good scores,” said the Cork man, who hopes to combine an Alps Tour schedule with appearances on the Challenge Tour in 2022. “It was nice to start off with two birdies and set the tone for the day.
“I hit driver and a five-iron that hit the pin and went to three feet at the 18th. It was very unlucky not to go in, according to a guy at the green. It’s a lovely track, but it’s very, very wet. We needed wellies out there today.”
Sugrue would double-bogey the fourth after losing a ball off the tee, but he birdied the par-five seventh and parred home for his 69.
The top 35 and ties after the final round at Golf Nazionale will be eligible for membership in Category 6 which means that France based Kerryman Michael Young is jus tone shot outside the mark on two-over with Kilkenny’s Luke Donnelly, a shot further back on three-over after both carded 73s at Golf Nazionale.
The cut for the top 65 and ties fell at three-over with Irish international Marc Boucher from Carton House missing out by a shot after a 72 at Terre dei Consoli.
Tramore’s Robin Dawson could not undo the damage of his opening 79 with a 71 at Golf Nazionale to miss out by three strokes with Conor Coyne a shot further back after a 73.
Boucher, Dawson and Coyne will be eligible in Category 9 next year but subject to the 2022 re-rank policy, while those who made the cut but finish outside the top 35 and ties will win Category 8 cards.
