Cian McNamara has his eye on a place at the Q-School finals. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie.Limerick assistant Cian McNamara and Royal Dublin talent Neil O’Briain battled their way into the top-10 after the opening round of the European Tour Qualifying School second stage in Spain.
Niall Turner in action during the first round of the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieHe may still be able to fall back on the Asian Tour but Muskerry’s Niall Turner is one of nearly 300 hopefuls chasing their dream at the second stage of the 2012 European Tour Qualifying School in Spain over the next four days.
Michael Collins. (Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie) Jonny Caldwell, Aaron O’Callaghan and Noel Fox made the top 15 who came through the European Tour Qualifying School First Stage at Dundonald Links.
But there was heartbreak for Cork’s Michael Collins, who was ninth overnight but slipped one shot outside the seven over par qualifying mark after a final round 77.
It was an even tougher day for former European Tour stalwart Gary Murphy as he crashed to an 80 to miss out on a place in Stage Two by five shots, slipping from 13th overnight to 18th place.
Gary Murphy in action at the Irish Open this year. Photo Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieGary Murphy started well but former Walker Cup player Jonny Caldwell is just one stroke off the pace after a marathon day at Stage One of the European Tour Qualifying School at Dundonald Links.