Ruaidhri McGee signed for a four under par second round at the European Tour Final Qualifying on Monday singing for a 66 at the PGA Catalunya Tour Course to move into the to hold a share of eighth place.
The Rosapenna golfer made the turn in 32 strokes and picked up another birdie on the run for home, with a card that also showed three dropped shots.
McGee is four shots off the lead of American John Hahn, who carded a six-under 66 on the Stadium Course to go two shots clear of the field on 10 under.
Kevin Phelan finished his second round three-under-par on the Tour Course which in some ways eased the setback of his opening 73 on Sunday but leaves him Tied 55th
David Higgins is placed the same after his second one over par on the Stadium Course dropped him down the field after the first round 67.
Amateur Dermot McElroy suffered a triple-bogey seven on the 14th, his fifth hole, on the Stadium Course on his way to a two-over 74.
The 20-year-old lies in a tie for 81st position on level par and will need to make a move over the next two days to avoid the cut after the fourth of six rounds.
The field of 156 competitors will play 2 rounds on both the Stadium and Tour Courses at the PGA Catalunya Resort. After 72 holes the field will be cut to the leading 70 players and ties who will play two further rounds over the Stadium Course.
At the conclusion of 108 holes, the leading 25 players (and those players tied on the final qualifying place score) will be ranked according to score.
Players who tie for 25th place or better shall be eligible for Category 15 membership of the European Tour (and Category 5 membership of the Challenge Tour) for the 2014 season and will be subject to the 2014 re-rank policy adopted by the Tournament Committee.
The remainder of those making the cut will be eligible for Category 20 membership of the European Tour (and Category 9 membership of the Challenge Tour) for the 2014 season. Players failing to make the cut will be eligible for Category 15 membership of the Challenge Tour for the 2014 season.
Players who fail to make the cut will also be ranked.
Since 1976, The European Tour Qualifying School has been held at the end of each season to establish which players, not otherwise exempt, will gain their playing privileges on the Tour for the following season through a qualifying competition.
It is a tough school for one of golf’s most coveted prizes, namely Membership of The European Tour and a place among the golfing elite.
Along the way, dreams are made and hopes dashed in equal measure. The Qualifying School is held in three stages - dependent on the individual's status - at a series of venues in the UK and Continental Europe. In the region of 1,000 competitors enter the Qualifying School each year, all aiming for a European Tour card, awarded to the top 25 and ties following the Final Stage. A player progressing through all three stages will have to play 252 holes under the most intense pressure.
The leading 25 players (plus those tied for 25th place) will earn Category 15 Membership of The European Tour for the following season.
