Former European Tour player Paddy Gribben made a strong start to his attempt to regain his card by firing an opening 71 on a blustery day over the Sotogrande course in the final qualifying tournament in Spain yesterday.

The Warrenpoint golfer was joined on that mark by his Northern Ireland colleague Damien Mooney, also at Sotogrande, and the pair are in joint 15th, four shots behind Paul Streeter of England. Two other Irish tour players, who lost their cards this year, were in action on the same course. Philip Walton opened with a 73, while Gary Murphy fired a 75. Wexford's Damian McGrane joined Walton on 73.

"It was tricky out there," said Walton. "Placing makes it a bit easier but not easy. You've just got to try to keep it steady and take each hole as it comes. But 73 is alright."

There was less good news for the Irish pair competing at San Roque. Sean Quinlivan opened with a 79, while Jim Carvill was a shot further back.

England's Paul Sherman grabbed the overall lead with a six-under-par 66 at San Roque.