Former Amateur champion Alan Dunbar was on track for a magical 59 but was forced to settle for a seven under par 62 on the Europro Tour in Wales.

Derry's Michael McGeady overcame a shaky start to earn his place at this week's European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage in Catalonia.

Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney is on track to make next week's European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage after a third round 66 left him tied for sixth in his Second Stage qualifier in Tarragona.

Derry's Michael McGeady and Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney remain on track to survive the Second Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain - but only just.

Royal Dublin's Niall Kearne and Derry's Michael McGeady are the leading Irishmen after the opening round at the Second Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

Mark Murphy might have been going to Q-School since 2003 but the 36-year old from Waterville makes no apologies for chasing his dream at the Second Stage in Spain this week.

Gareth Shaw squeaked into the field for Second Qualifying Stage fo the European Tour Qualifying School next Thursday by just €200 when he finished tied 51st in the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic.

 Clandeboye's Jonny Caldwell — Rory McIlroy's foursomes partner in the 2007 Walker Cup — has given himself a chance of winning what would be a miraculous promotion to the Challenge Tour. 

European Tour Qualifying School First Stage — Waterville's Mark Murphy was the only Irish player to come through the First Qualifying Stage Section A of the European Tour School.

Five of Ireland's seven Q-School hopefuls made the 54-hole cut in the First Stage Section A qualifier at The Roxburghe. But with Mark Murphy just inside the Top 17 and ties to progress to the Second Stage and Damian Mooney one adrift, it promises to be a hear-stopping final round at the Scottish venue.

Waterville's Mark Murphy was the only Irish golfer inside the qualifying places at the halfway stage of the European Tour Qualiifying School Section A qualifiers in Austria and Scotland.

The home contingent had reasons to be cheerful but there was nobody happier than Sweden's Joakim Lagergren at Galgorm Castle as he claimed his maiden European Challenge Tour title at the Northern Ireland Open Challenge in association with Maui Jim Sunglasses.

Jonny Caldwell leads the home challenge heading into the final round of the Northern Ireland Open Challenge in association with Maui Jim Sunglasses at Galgorm Castle.

North West's Mick McGeady fired five birdies and an eagle in a six under 66 to lie just one shot off the lead after the first round of the PGA Europro Tour's Break90 Classic at De Vere Slaley Hall.

On a day when Golf.com claimed the Dustin Johnson was not on leave of absence but suspended by the PGA Tour for failing a drugs test for cocaine — the Tour later denied in a statement they had suspended the American — Sergio Garcia came home in 27 for a 61 to lead the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with Rory Mcllroy struggling to keep pace despite a sizzling 64.

eGolf Professional Tour — Seamus Power's incredible run of form on the eGolf Professional Tour continued on Friday when he racked up his 18th straight round in the 60s.

Eight Irishmen will pursue their Open Championship dream by joining the scramble for 12 golden tickets for Hoylake at four Final Qualifying venues on Tuesday. But another eight Irish tour players have opted to make the €3 million Alstom Open de France their priority.

Challenge Tour — Stephen Grant is just six shots off the pace at the halfway stage of the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts.

Challenge Tour — The Heritage's Stephen Grant fired an eagle and three birdies in a four under 67 to lie just two shots off the lead after the opening round of the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Club.