US TOUR: American Kyle Reifers shot a flawless eight-under-par 64 to claim the early clubhouse lead at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at the TPC Louisiana yesterday.
Reifers leads by three from Tim Petrovic and Tom Johnson with Kevin Sunderland in a group of five at four under par. Reifers had halves of 32, shooting four birdies on each nine for his 64.
The TPC Louisiana was the stage for Petrovic's play-off victory in 2005 when he clinched his only PGA Tour title.
Swedish pair Richard S Johnson and Fredrik Jacobson are on three-under-par with Germany's Alex Cejka a shot back on 70.
CHALLENGE TOUR: Stephen Browne and Michael Hoey produced a timely return to form at the European Challenge Tour's Tessali-Metaponto Open di Puglia e Basilicata yesterday.
Hoey was best of the Irish, carding an opening five-under 66 to trail Van Phillips of England by two strokes, while Browne shot a four-under-par 68.
Damien Mooney opened with a one-over-par 73, while Donegal's Michael McGeady was a shot back on 74.
EUROPRO TOUR: Ireland's Mark O'Sullivan and Mark Staunton are on course to claim a place on the 2007 PGA EuroPro Tour after day-two of the final Qualifying School, at Frilford Heath, Oxfordshire.
O'Sullivan and Staunton, who shot a 66 in the second round, are on 139, just two behind Todd Nicholson. The New Zealander added a 67 to his opening 70 for the lead on 137.
Today's final day will prove crucial and competition will be fierce as only the top 70 of the remaining competitors will be guaranteed a tour spot, while the rest will be relying on other players withdrawing to get their places.
