McGrane records early bogey in Spain

Ireland's Damien McGrane, joint sixth overnight, has dropped a shot early in his fifth round at the tour qualifying school in…

Ireland's Damien McGrane, joint sixth overnight, has dropped a shot early in his fifth round at the tour qualifying school in Spain to move to 16 under. Only the leading 35 and ties are awarded cards tomorrow night after the sixth and final loop of the Emporda course.

Philip Walton, the only other Irish survivor after the cut was made, is six under for the tournament and needs a score in the 60s for a realistic chance of earning his card.

Meanwhile, England's David Dixon, who since the start of June made just one cut in 15 European tour events, rediscovered his form in the nick of time.

The 26-year-old, back after crashing to 158th on the Order of Merit, had seven birdies in a spectacular back nine 29. It took the former England international - top amateur at the 2001 Open championship - from nine under par to 16 under and from 46th overnight to joint 9th alongside McGrane.

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The pair are only five strokes behind Swede Per Nyman, who trying to win the school for the second year running resumed by holing his eight-iron approach to the first from 148 yards for an eagle two. It put him one ahead of overnight pacesetter Francois Delamontagne, of France.