Golf:Gary Murphy's hopes of regaining his European Tour card remain on course at this week's gruelling six-round Qualifying School where Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney has also worked himself into a good position at PGA Golf de Catalunya in Spain.
Murphy finds himself back at Q-School after finishing the season outside the magical top 115. The 37-year-old opened his week with rounds of 69, 67 to move into a share of seventh but today's 70 meant he dropped back into a tie for 22nd on six-under. He is still well inside the top 70 who will advance to the final two rounds.
Kearney (21) is trying his hand at Q-School for the first time and so far has made a good fist of it among the many seasoned campaigners who find themselves at the last chance saloon of European golf. This year's Brabazon Trophy winner and Walker Cup player shot a second consecutive 68 at the Girona venue to be two behind Murphy on four-under and tied 39th.
Colm Moriarty and Jonathan Caldwell also carded third round 68s to get to two-under, leaving the pair right on the bubble in a tie for 61st.
As it stands Simon Thornton is outside the four-round cut after today's 69 left him tied 74th on one-under, while John Kelly's race is all but run as a 73 left him nine-over.
The English pair of Charlie Ford and Simon Khan still lead on 14-under after both carded 67s.
The 156-man field will be reduced to the top 70 and ties after tomorrow’s fourth round before the top 30 and ties secure their full European Tour cards after the final two rounds.
