The enduring week that is the season-ending Qualifying School has reached the midpoint of the final stage and as it stands both Irish representatives, David Higgins and Philip Walton, would make the 72-hole cut before the final two rounds.

Make no mistake this is surely the most gruelling week in a professional golfers' career as they strive to earn next year's playing rights on the European Tour in a "last chance saloon" scenario.

After three rounds at San Roque in Spain home favourite Carlos Rodiles leads the way on 13 under par. The European Tour regular leads by three shots from English amateur Oliver Fisher after the Spaniard shot rounds of 70, 64, 69.

Higgins shot a third round 72 to leave the Kerry man well-placed in a tie for 23rd on one under. Although Walton rallied well for today's 69, the 1995 Ryder Cup hero is in a much more precarious situation, tied 58th on two-over.

After tomorrow's fourth round the 155-man is reduced down to the top 70 and ties who will battle it out over the final two rounds. Upon completion of the six rounds on Thursday the top 30 and ties will then earn their full playing rights to the European Tour for the 2007 season. 
 
One player who would earn most people's sympathetic vote to claim one of those cards is Scotland's David Drysdale who, for the past two years has finished one place outside of those who have kept their playing privileges by right, missing out by a mere €586 in 2005 and by €1,139 this year.

However, the dogged Scot kept moving in the right direction to reclaim a place at European golf's top table, a three under par 69 giving him a six under par total of 210 and a share of sixth place overall.