Higgins Trails Phelan and McGee

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David Higgins returns to the Stadium Course a second time on Wednesday in need of some fireworks for his fourth round of Qualifying School Final Stage at PGA Catalunya, after a round of 72 on the Tour course on Tuesday dropped him back the field.

With just the opening round of three under par as a cushion the Waterville golfer must rely on his experience to ensure safe passage on Wednesday and needs to stay within the top 70 players. 

Already a top 25 spot looks a stretch for Friday as he currently shares 66th place with only one stroke the difference between him and another year in golfing exile already. 

On Tuesday the 2013 European Tour member birdied twice but then gave the shots back with interest to finish two over par for the day and dropping eleven places.

Ruairdhi McGee uncharacteristically this season lost some momentum in this grueling and lengthy contest - that started in September - signing for a two over par 72 on the Tour Course. The Rosapenna man drops out of the top to 32nd along side Kevin Phelan.

Walker Cup team member Phelan was four under for the back nine but was carrying two bogeys from earlier in the day after dropping shots at holes four and five. A round of 67 though pushed the Waterford man up the field twenty three places and inside the projected cutmark.

Dermot McElroy will have learned much from this campaign as the Ballymena golfer lies in 102nd place after a double and triple bogey added to his third round 76 – on four over par.

A promising start of 68 on day one came undone over the past two days as 108 golfers fight for the 25 automatic places on Friday afternoon.

England’s James Morrison climbed into a share of the lead on the third day at The European Tour’s Qualifying School Final Stage thanks to a superb best-of-the-day 63 at PGA Catalunya Resort.

The 28 year old Surrey native defied swirling winds to post eight birdies and just the one bogey to reach ten under par for the week as the leading half of the draw played the Tour Course at the stunning resort just outside of Girona, in north-eastern Spain.

Sweden’s Jens Dantorp fired a two under par 68 to also reach that tally following the third day’s play, while the South American pair of Estanislao Goya and Fabrizio Zanotti both shot 67 to remain one shot further back as the gruelling contest reached its halfway point.

Morrison, who is playing the Final Stage for the first time in five years this week after finishing 139th in The 2013 Race to Dubai, showed some exemplary ball-striking on Tuesday in birdieing four of the five par threes and surged 39 places up the leaderboard into a share of top spot.

“It does feel good to be up the top of the board,” said the 2010 Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal champion. “It is always a funny week at Tour School what with us being through three rounds and still having three to go.

“You’ve just got to keep playing well and keep it ticking along while staying within a decent distance of the leaders.

“I knew today playing the Tour course that it was the last chance for a low one, I felt like I could have a good score today. We were first out too so the greens were good and I’ve been playing well for a few months without it quite clicking but it is finally starting to come around.

“It has helped us with the leading half of the field being on the Tour course today. It was playing like a four-club wind out there this afternoon so I wouldn’t want to play the Stadium Course in the wind. The other guys are going to find it hard playing the other course so today was a chance to really push yourself up the field and luckily enough I did that.”

This week, playing in his fourth Qualifying School Final without yet having gained his playing rights here – he eventually did ascend to The European Tour after finishing 18th on the Challenge Tour in 2009 – Morrison said that after a disappointing campaign he is glad to be getting back on track, and over two courses which he clearly enjoys.

“I played here in the Qualifying School when it was first held here five years ago but haven’t been back since,” he continued. “The courses suit my game. They are just two good golf courses; they say the Tour is easier and I know I have shot a good score but there are still a few smelly holes out there which you need to focus on.

“And the Stadium Course is just a good test of golf. Play well and you can shoot a good score, but don’t and you can shoot a hundred – it’s a great challenge.”

Dantorp, meanwhile, said it was a grinding day but was happy to make a 16 foot birdie putt at the last to jump into a share of the lead with 54 holes remaining in Girona.

“It was a bit gusty today but I’m lucky because it’s the conditions I’m used to playing in at home – for me it’s a normal thing,” said Dantorp, who finished 21st in the Challenge Tour rankings this year. “Today was so-so with the putting but I was pleased with that finish. It’s a great place to be in and I’m happy with where I am at the moment.”

American John Hahn failed to build on his two-shot overnight lead as he struggled to a three over par 73, while his compatriot Brinson Paolini shot a best-of-the-day 68 on the challenging Stadium Course to move into a share of 26th place on five under par.

The top 70 players and ties at the conclusion of the fourth round will go on to play two more times over the Stadium Course while those sharing 25th place and better come close of play on Friday will claim a coveted European Tour card for the 2014 season.

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McElroy Earns Final Place

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Dermot McElroy finished his weather delayed final round of the European Tour Qualifying  School on Wednesday at Lumine Golf and Beach Club with a level par 71. A result  that secured the Irish amateur eighteenth place outright in Tarragona and the last spot for the Final Stage next week.

A pair of birdies and bogeys either side of the turn were the result of his work on the final day and a five under par aggregate score. Enough to separate the Ballymena golfer by a stroke from the larger chasing groups.

McElroy has shown promise from an early age and a  couple of years ago - then aged 17 - he was one step away from winning the North of Ireland, losing out in the final at Royal Portrush to Alan Dunbar. Who ironically failed to get through Stage Two this week.

Five years ago McElroy won the Connacht under-15, the Leinster under-15s, the Ulster under-15s and the Irish under-15 titles in the same season. Last year he was named in a 12-man preliminary Great Britain and Ireland squad for the St Andrews Trophy match against Continental Europe to be played at Portmarnock in August.

This season at the Northern Ireland Challenge presented by Clannah and XJet McElroy finished T9.

England’s Chris Hanson finished the protracted Qualifying School Second Stage at Lumine after closing with a round of 68 in Tarragona.

Hanson led 18 qualifiers from the northern Spain venue on 15 under par, five strokes clear of his nearest challengers, Scotland’s Raymond Russell and English amateur Callum Shinkwin, who signed off with respective rounds of 69 and 70. 

The 18 qualifiers from Lumine Golf will join the 35 players who progressed from Las Colinas Golf and Country Club and Campo de Golf El Saler at next week’s Final Stage, which will again be held at PGA Catalunya Resort, in Girona.

Gareth Shaw will not be part of that group next week however, having finished his similalry  weather delayed final round at Valle Romano in a 2 over par 73.

Two double bogeys on his front nine pushed the Upper Ballinderry man in the wrong direction on the leaderboard from the outset, needing a minimum four under par to have a chance, and reaching the halfway in 40 strokes left him struggling. 

A fightback of sorts on the home stretch gave some hope, but there was too much ground to recover, and unable to repeat the one sub 70 round which he carded on day two. 

A former Amateur 2006 Eisenhower Trophy 2007, 08 winner), a Palmer Cup 2002 winner, 2003 winner of the Jacques Leglise Trophy - as well as a representative record from 2002-07 of Boys, Youths, Seniors honours.

This is Shaw's sixth visit to Q School and it will be a disappointing result for the Team Ireland golfer who had started this season very determined to make the breakthrough onto the main Tour.

Despite enduring a difficult final day at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, James Heath still led 17 qualifiers home as the European Tour Qualifying School Second Stage came to a close at the Alicante venue. 

The Englishman, who held a substantial lead overnight, signed off with a round of 75, but that closing effort was still good enough to finish top of the pile on 15 under par. 

Heath was followed home by rising South African star Brandon Stone, who closed with a 69 for a 14 under par aggregate total. 

Welshman Liam Bond (13 under), England’s James Robinson (12 under) and American John Hahn (11 under) rounded out the top five.

The qualifying mark fell on two under par, with six players contesting a play-off for the last four places in the Final Stage. 

The Swedish duo of Oscar Floren and Joakim Rask emerged triumphant alongside German amateur Christopher Dammert and Spaniard Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, with France’s Michael Lorenzo-Vera and Germany’s Max Glauert the men to miss out – although they could still make the Final Stage as Alternates, in the event of injuries or withdrawals.

At Campo de Golf El Saler, home favourite Carlos del Moral romped to victory by five shots after signing off with a round of 71 for an eight under par aggregate total. 

England’s Jason Barnes finished second on three under par, one shot ahead of Frenchman Thomas Linard and Italian Niccolo Quintarelli. 

With 18 players progressing from El Saler, there was a five-way play-off for the final two spots after Jerome Casanova, Christophe Brazillier, Matthias Grönberg, Chris Lloyd and Andrey Pavlov all finished on three over par. 

The two who prevailed were Casanova, courtesy of birdie at the first extra hole, and Grönberg, who eventually saw off Lloyd on the sixth extra hole. 

Meanwhile, over at Valle Romano Golf in Estepona, the third round was finally completed with Frenchman Edouard Espana leading the way on 12 under par. 

High winds had forced officials to suspend play on Monday, but Espana made the most of the calmer conditions on Tuesday to lead by two strokes from Australian Scott Arnold and Sweden’s Alexander Björk, who posted respective rounds of 69 and 68. 

The fourth round was completed on Wednesday, as it was at Lumine Golf & Beach Club, where high winds forced a suspension at 12.55pm on Tuesday. Play resumed at 4.15pm but was again halted 25 minutes later.

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McGee Best in Class

European Tour

Ruaidhri McGee finished in a share of fifth place at European Tour Qualifying School Stage 2 at Las Colinas to keep his PGA Catalunya hopes alive after a one under par 70 on Sunday.

A double bogey on the first did not bode well for the Rosapenna professional for his Round 2 hopes. However three birdies on the way to the turn brought McGee under par and a level finish at the eighteenth secured a spot seven strokes from the leader James Heath. More importantly well inside the coveted first fifteen places with two days to go.

Stephen Grant went the opposite direction after a strong start on Saturday, to finish day two in a tie for 78th place - carding a round of 78. A double bogey on the par four 12th the major damage in a round that also included six bogeys.

Niall Kearney moved to a share of 21st with a second day 71, despite a double  bogey on the par 4 sixth. 

Damian Mooney fired a 69 and moved to 39th spot cruising around Las Colinas in two under par.

Brendan McCarroll was ten strokes worse though and a 79 included a double and triple bogey on Sunday.

David Rawluk is 66th after carding a second round 75 and unlikely to make it beyond Monday's cut.

At Campo de Golf El Saler the pace is being set by Carlos Del Moral from Spain and Niccolo Quintarelli from Italy on -7, where the best of the Irish, Kevin Phelan, was 72 for the day and sharing twentieth place.

The Waterford man has some work to do for a final Stage spot after his round of 35 and 37 reflected little drama he encountered,  as he matched birdies and bogeys to finish level. 

Colm Moriarty was one better with 71 but four places further adrift on day two after his one over par opening round. 

John Daniel Guiney signed for  a 75 with a  double on the par 4 sixth the damage, leaving him in 75th spot at the half way stage.

Alan Dunbar signed for 80 despite an eagle 2 on par four 14th. That good news aside the card was just too blue with no recovery birdies to improve his chances.

At Lumine Golf and Beach Club in Tarragona Dermot McElroy finished three under par on Sunday to finish 20th and five strokes off the leader Chris Hanson - who was unable to match his first 64 - and signed for a round of 70.

At Valle Romano Golf Gareth Shaw finished with a three under par 68, and only good enough for a share of 46th place. Three players share the lead on -10, Nikolai E Nissen, Gary Stal and Lee Bedford.

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Grant and McGee Top Class

Photo: Gordon McCadden

Stephen Grant and Ruaidhri McGee set the Irish pace at European Tour Qualifying Stage Two on Saturday with rounds of 67 at Las Colinas, in a tie for 8th place on the first day. A total of four strokes separate them from the leader, James Heath, who carded eight birdies with just one loss, to finish the back nine in 31 strokes.

Heath leads in Alicante on -7.

Grant showed the continued form after PGA Tour qualifying a two weeks ago and completed an error free round with four birdies. McGee, winner of Stage 1, had just one stetback when he bogeyed the par three 13th.

Brendan McCarroll was two strokes further back in a share of eighteenth after a first round 69.

Niall Kearney was one in under par and in 28th place on Saturday

Damian Mooney carded a 74 which also included a double on the par 4 sixth.

David Rawluk finished with a 75 on opening day and has much work to do to make the third round cut.

At El Saler Kevin Phelan led the Irish challenge with 71 and that was only good enough for 16th place as Sweden's Pelle Edberg carded a 66 to lead at -6. 

Colm Moriarty finished one over par on 73 and is in 37th to join Alan Dunbar in Valencia.

John Daniel Guiney's run may have ended after reaching the eighteenth on 38 strokes, then double bogeying his eleventh hole - the par four second - followed by a triple on the next to end his day on 82.

At El Lumine Dermot McElroy suffered a double on the sixth but recovered to sign for a level par 71. But in 41st as England's Chris Hannon leads on 7 under  after signing for a 64.

Valle Romano saw  Gareth Shaw end the day on 72 strokes with the pace setter Pontus Widegren of Sweden carding a 64.

There are still a number of exempt places in field for the Qualifying School Final to be determined following the conclusion of the Challenge Tour Grand Final and the publication of the Challenge Tour Rankings. 

Therefore the exact number of spots available at each 2nd Stage venue will not be announced until this is published on Sunday 3rd November in the afternoon.

However, there will be a minimum of 15 spots available at each venue.

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Higgins Hindered on Tour Course

David Higgins carded a third round of 74 to drop 48 places the wrong direction on the leader board into a share of 74th place - four spots outside the projected cut for Tuesday's final round. The Waterville man faces some tough work on Tuesday to reverse matters and stay in contention for a place in the final qualifying phase on Wednesday and Thursday.  

Chris Devlin and Cian McNamara both finished Monday with rounds of 73 but are well out of contention.

Jonathan Caldwell also dropped a number of places after his third round 76.

But the former Walker Cup players Sam Hutsby and Andy Sullivan built on their fine starts at the Qualifying School Final Stage, ending the day with just one shot separating the two Englishmen at the midway stage of the six-round marathon.

On another sunny day at PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona, northern Spain, Hutsby shot a round of 68 on the Tour Course to move to 15 under par, with Sullivan signing for a 67 to close the gap to a single stroke. 

Hutsby opened with a birdie on the tenth hole, before a bogey at the 13th temporarily halted his momentum. But he rallied with a birdie at the 18th hole, and a further gain after the turn saw the 23 year old maintain his place at the head of affairs.

Were it not for a cold putter Hutsby’s advantage would have been greater, but he is still on course to complete a second successful visit to the Qualifying School, having finished runner-up behind his compatriot Simon Khan in 2009.

He said: “I only missed two greens but I just couldn’t buy a putt. So I’m a little disappointed, because I felt I played well enough to break away a bit. But I’m still leading, so I would have taken that at the start of the day. My target is six rounds in the 60s, so that goal is still on. There are still three rounds to go, but I’m in a nice position.

“I didn’t force it too much today, I just hit the greens without hitting it very close. It was always going to be a fairly tidy round because I’m playing well, but I could have been three or four shots better.

“It’s hard, because you get to holes that I birdied in the first round [when he shot 60], and if you par them you feel you’re not playing as well. So two under wasn’t really the score I was looking for but it was just one of those days on the greens, and sometimes you just have to accept it.

“It’s strange that we’re only half way. Most of us played two or three practice rounds, so it already feels like a long week but there are three rounds to go. I feel fresh though, and I’ve been sleeping well. I’ve been playing nicely, so I’m looking forward to the next three days.”

Sullivan, who played alongside Tom Lewis in Great Britain and Ireland’s triumphant 2011 Walker Cup team, mixed six birdies with three bogeys to move to 14 under par and within sight of a European Tour card just three months after joining the professional ranks.

The 25 year old, who boasted a 100 per cent record in the Foursomes at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, is determined to win his private duel with Hutsby. 

He said: “I think there is a nice little battle going on between myself and Sam. I don’t think we’d like to comment on it too much, but there’s definitely a bit of to and fro so it’s really good. We’ve played a couple of times together and been in squads together, so we know each other well enough.

“I’ve put myself in a good position now, so I’m definitely thinking about winning it. It would mean a lot to me and would probably the biggest achievement of my life, so I just have to go out there and keep doing what I’m doing.

“I’ve been a professional for three months, and I love it. I’ve probably learned more in three months than I did in my whole amateur career, so it’s been fantastic. This has definitely been my most enjoyable week as a pro, scoring wise. I’ve been playing well prior to this but just haven’t seemed to put the numbers together, so it’s nice to be able to do that finally.” 

The English duo will be joined in the final group by Peter Gustafsson, who made a fine start to his round of 66 with an eagle at the tenth hole.

The Swede won the Qualifying School in 2004 but is yet to finish inside the top 30 in two previous visits to PGA Catalunya Resort, so is hoping to rectify that record this week.

He said: “It’s only half way, so there’s still a long way to go. The guys coming straight here from the Second Stage must feel like they’ve been playing for ages! I’m feeling good and I’ve been working a lot with my fitness coach in Marbella, so everything feels good.

“My game is very solid so far, so the target is just to keep it going. You don’t want to go overboard on how well you’re playing at this stage, because it can come back and bite you over the next three rounds. But I’m very happy with where I am at the moment.”

A sublime round of 62 set Thomas Norret on course to reclaim the European Tour card he earned at the Qualifying School Final Stage 12 months ago.

The Dane, who took the 17th card last year, covered the Tour Course in just 62 strokes, firing eight birdies in an immaculate display.

Norret reached the turn in just 29 thanks chiefly to a five birdie burst from the fourth hole, before making three more gains to finish on 12 under par. 

With the top 30 and ties securing a place in The 2012 Race to Dubai, Norret is in position to secure a swift return to The European Tour, having relinquished his playing privileges after finishing in 155th place in the Money List this year.

Norret said: “It was an awesome day. I got off to a nice start, and just kept calm all day. I made five birdies in a row on the front nine, and that really got me going. We had a slow spell in the middle and got held up, but then I got back into it and played well at the end.

“It’s nice to be up there after a round like today. I felt confident coming here. I had a bad first half of the season, but over the last four or five months my game has been pretty good. I played well last week at Second Stage, and in South Africa before that at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. So I was confident coming to Final Stage, and it’s nice that it has paid off today.”

Three-time European Tour champion Nick Dougherty, meanwhile, endured a difficult day as a round of 75 left him on four over par and facing an uphill task to make Thursday’s cut.

He said: “I played really well on the front nine, and then I had a tough break. I’ve got a little bit of an ailment at the moment with my hip, where it clicks and goes, and when it does I’m lucky if I make contact with the ball. It happened on the first tee, which was my tenth hole, and made a bogey then I never really made a shot after that.

“But I hold out hope that I can get it back to how it used to be, and how it used to feel. There are some times when I do play good golf, and it feels great. For nine holes today I played phenomenal, I should have been nine under but still nothing went my way. I had two three putts to go one under through nine, and I missed two putts from inside eight feet for birdie. I should never have shot that score today, but that’s just the way it’s going for me at the moment.”

Higgins Strong in School Run

David Higgins maintained his hopes alive of progressing to European Tour action after a second round 72 kept in a share of 26th place on -5 after the first two days of a most intense weekend.

The remaining Irish challengers are further adrift with Chris Devlin +2 at the end of Sunday

second round.

Jonathan Caldwell is  two shots further back and battling hard to recover from the opening day 78 with some more work left to do on Monday and Tuesday.

Cian McNamara of Limerick Golf Club finished day two with a 73 and at 9 over is currently in 153rd place. 

Sam Hutsby maintained his lead in the Qualifying School Final Stage as he followed up his stunning opening round of 60 with a three under par 69 on the Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya Resort, leaving him two shots clear of English compatriot Andy Sullivan.

The 23 year old had three birdies, two bogeys and an eagle on the longer of the two courses to reach 13 under par for the tournament, while Sullivan was hot on his heels after carding a six under par 66 on the Stadium Course to move to 11 under.

Hutsby admitted he was surprised to card such a good score on what he felt was an average day on the course.

”I’m absolutely chuffed to bits with a 69 because I didn’t feel like I played that well,” said the Lee-on-Solent player, who finished second at the 2009 Qualifying School Final Stage. “But I've been trying to improve my B-game so when I'm not quite at the races, I’m just trying to eliminate the double-bogeys, so it’s really pleasing. My short game was really tidy today which kept me in it.”

Having started on the tenth tee, Hutsby stormed into a commanding lead with an eagle at the 15th, but dropped shots at the 16th and 18th. He recovered with two birdies on the way home, however, and was delighted with his position.

“It was a bit of a tough day but I am happy,” said the former Walker Cup player, who finished 48th in the Challenge Tour Rankings this year. “After yesterday it was always going to be hard to match that on a tougher course so I’m in a good position.

“It’s a long week, though. Obviously we only do this once a year - play six rounds in a row and two practice rounds - so it’s mentally tough as well as the fitness aspect. I've worked hard on that so coming down the last few holes I hit some good shots, so it’s nice to get myself in a comfortable position with four rounds to go.”

Sullivan impressed with the joint-lowest round on the Stadium Course so far this week, having opened with a 65 on the Tour course in round one.

The 25 year old was part of Great Britain and Ireland’s victorious Walker Cup team earlier this year, turning professional soon after and making it through last week’s Qualifying School Second Stage.

“It’s just nice to be playing well and seeing the ball go in the hole,” said Sullivan. “It’s a bit different from last week, when I left it until the last minute to get through.

“I just seemed to steadily make a few birdies. I felt confident coming here after the way I played last week in the Second Stage. I just didn’t hole enough putts, but in the last round last week I started to hole a few putts and I came into this week with a bit more confidence.”

Peter Gustafsson and David McKenzie were two shots further back on nine under as the Swede equalled the best round of the day on the Tour course with a seven under par 63.

He said: “After changing my coach about a month and a half ago it’s been improving my game. It has been quite a big change in the swing, but it’s been better in terms of ball-striking so every time I trust it, it goes perfectly. The putter is very hot too so it’s been a great day for me.”

Seven players were in a share of fifth place, including Lloyd Kennedy, who holed out from 216 yards for an eagle at the par four fourth hole on the way to a four under par 66 on the Tour course.

Three-time European Tour champion Nick Dougherty finished the day on one over par after a 73 on the Stadium course, while last year’s winner, Simon Wakefield, was three over par for the tournament after a two over par 74 on the Stadium Course.

Higgins Makes it to Catalunya

David Higgins of Waterville and Limerick’s Cian McNamara produced sub-par last rounds in Spain on Monday to take a closer step to securing their European Tour cards for next year, with both playing at the Las Colinas course. 

Higgins fired a 68 and McNamara a 69 for total scores of 280 – four under par – and they finished in joint 16th spot to make it through to the final stage starting on Saturday.

However at the same course Royal Dublin’s former amateur international Niall Kearney, Aaron O’Callaghan and Brendan McCarroll all failed to make progress.

Northern Ireland’s US based Chris Devlin pulled was at El Valle and carded a four-under par 67 for a 281 aggregate for a share of 14th place, after a third-round 75 looked like it might cost him. In the end he took one of the 20 places on offer from that venue.

Mark Staunton of Castleknock missed out after a disappointing closing 73 but he may make the final if there are withdrawals. 

Former Shamrock Rovers Stephen Grant failed to build on some good work this week and joined the Asian Tour based Niall Turner on the wrong side of the cut. 

Colm Moriarty’s failure at La Manga was another disappointment for a player that has enjoyed moments of genius in recent years. But he could do no better than 290 and joint 38th place.

Neil O’Briain also lost out with a final round 76. 

Michael McGeady also missed out for another year.

The final stage starts on Saturday at PGA Catalunya in Girona with six rounds offering up only 30 European Tour cards.

But somewhere near Newcastle, in County Down, 2009 Q School qualifier Simon Thornton is no doubt enjoying some babysitting, thanking his lucky stars that his final tournament finish on the Challenge Tour last month spared him a dreaded return to Catalunya this December. A venue he has been for the past two years battling for his playing rights, with last year proving fruitless.

Indeed, on the European Tour both Damien McGrane and Gareth Maybin will no doubt be feeling the same relief.

Q School Stage Two at Halfway

Saturday saw plenty of good scoring as the Second Stage of Qualifying School continued at La Manga, El Valle, Costa Ballena and Las Colinas.

England’s Graeme A Clark continued his fine start to the Second Stage of Qualifying School at La Manga Club by following yesterday’s stunning seven under par 66 with a solid 69 to tie for the lead after today’s second round.

Clark made a perfect start in Cartagena with a birdie at the par four first hole and after making eight straight pars on the remainder of the front nine the Yorkshireman made further birdies at the tenth, 13th, 16th and 18th holes, with the only blemish coming in the form of a bogey at the par four 15th hole.

Italian Andrea Perrino was one shot of the pace after Friday’s round but today posted an excellent five under par 68 to join Clark in a tie for the lead at 11 under par in a round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.

After shooting a stunning eight under par 65, Argentina’s Clodomiro Carranza propelled himself into sole possession of third place at ten under par, while one shot further back are Englishman Sam Matton and American Scott Pinckney.

Allan Versfield, joint leader with Clark after the first round, signed for a two over par 75 leaving the South African tied for tenth place at five under par.

Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren retains a narrow lead at the top at El Valle Golf Resort after adding a two under par 69 to yesterday’s course record of 63.

Lagergren, 20, is one shot clear of the field at the halfway point of the event and could have been even further ahead but for a string of three bogeys at the 14th, 15th and 16th holes. However, birdies at the second, seventh, ninth, 11th and 18th holes helped the Challenge Tour member to ten under par going into tomorrow’s third round.

Englishman David J Smith followed yesterday’s 65 with a three under par 68 to sit one shot off the lead in a round that included four back-to-back birdies from the 14th to the 17th, while his fellow countryman Daniel Brooks is a further shot back after posting an excellent second round 66.

At ten over par, James Maw hasn’t had much to smile about until the Englishman made a hole in one at the 202-yard par three sixth with an inch-perfect four iron.

Sam Hutsby produced a superb six under par 66 to lead by two shots after the second round at the Costa Ballena Ocean Club.

Hutsby, who narrowly missed out on a place at the Challenge Tour Grand Final after finishing 48th in the 2011 Challenge Tour rankings, carded six birdies, including four on the back nine, in what was a flawless round that took the Englishman to nine under par.

Hutsby’s fellow countryman Jason Levermore stormed into a share of second place at seven under par after signing for an excellent seven under par 65, along with Frenchman Xavier Poncelet who carded a five under par 67 to supplement yesterday’s 70, while one shot further back at the halfway stage in Jerez is another Englishman, Luke Goddard, who today shot a four under par 68. 

It was tough going for yesterday’s co-leaders, though, as former amateur World Number One carded a three over par 75 to slip to a tie for 27th place, while Pedro Oriol and Wade Ormsby both hit one under par 71s to sit four shots off the pace ahead of Sunday’s third round.

England’s Ben Barham stormed into a two shot lead at Las Colinas Golf and Country Club after shooting an immaculate five under par 66 in the second round.

Barham, a two-time winner on the Challenge Tour, carded birdies at the third, fifth, sixth, tenth and 16th holes in an unblemished bogey-free round to complete a pair of 66s over the first two days in Alicante.

The Netherlands’ Tim Sluiter shot a best of the day 65 to sit two shots behind Barham at the halfway stage in what was a fine round that included a superb eagle at the par five third hole and four birdies at the ninth, 13th, 16th and 18th holes.

Meanwhile, a further two shots back going into Sunday’s third round is South Korea’s Byeong-Hun An who today produced a five under par 66.

Over 300 players, across four venues in the south of Spain, are this week bidding for a place in the Final Stage of Qualifying School due to be held at PGA Catalunya, Spain, from December 10-15.

With the Second Stage being played alongside the penultimate event of The European Tour season in Hong Kong, the number of exempt places is set to be finalised on Sunday evening and the exact number of qualifying spots from Second Stage will be determined and published following this, however there will be a minimum of 16 spots available at each venue.