Murphy leads Irish challenge at Alps Tour Q-School
Sam Murphy
Amateurs Sam Murphy and Cathal MacCanna made positive starts in the first round of the Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage near Rome.
Former Irish Boys and Connacht Strokeplay champion Murphy opened with a three-under 69 at Terre dei Consoli Golf Club to share 10th place in the 54-hole race to make the top 35 and ties who will be eligible to receive Category 6 membership for the 2026 Alps Tour season.
The Portumna golfer, who has had his battles with injuries over the past few seasons, was four strokes behind leader Jose Manuel Pardo.
The Spaniard shot a seven-under 65 at the same venue to lead by a shot from Italy’s Luca Cavalli.
MacCanna posted a level par 72 at Golf Nazionale, where the top 65 and ties after 36 holes will play the final round.
MacCanna was tied for 45th, but the rest of the Irish have work to do to play all three rounds.
Carton House’s Marc Boucher was 78th after carding a two over 74 at Golf Nazionale.
Birr’s Stephen Grant, the former professional footballer, was 99th following his three-over 75 at Terre dei Consoli, while Tom Dowdall’s 77 at Golf Nazionale left him tied for 124th.
While the top 35 players and ties after 54 holes will receive Category 6 membership, the remainder of the players who make the cut will be eligible for Category 8 membership.
The remaining players who finish in the 66th-156th positions will be eligible for membership in Category 9.
