European Tour Qualifying School:Simon Thornton's bid for a European Tour card is still on track after a level-par round of 72 left him in fourth spot going into the final round of stage two qualifying at Arcos Gardens in Jerez today.
The Royal County Down golfer slipped back from a tie for second after failing to pick up a shot, but is still well placed to capture one of the 20 places available at the venue for next week's final qualifying
Thornton sits on seven-under after the third round, trailing Spanish runaway leader Santiago Luna by eight shots after the former European Tour professional carded his second 66 of the week.
David Higgins moved into a tie for sixth place at Sherry Golf after signing for a 68 to move to six-under. A total of 19 spots are up for grabs, with Esker Hills amateur Shane Lowry and Glasson's Colm Moriarty needing a strong finish tomorrow to make it to final qualifying.
Douglas' Peter O'Keeffe is still in line to take one of the 20 spots available at Montenmedio despite moving back to a tie for 15th place after a one-over 73 today.
Richard Kilpatrick of Banbridge saw his chances take a dive after a 78 pushed him back to a share of 40th position with 18 holes to play, while a two-under 70 sees Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell remain in a share of 29th place.
Lurgan's Gareth Shaw also played himself into a corner, falling from joint 15th to a share of 29th after a level-par 72.
European Tour Q School, Second Stage, Jerez, Spain - Leading scores (Ireland and Britian unless stated): At Costa Ballena (19 places) (Par 72): 203J Garcia Pinto (Sp) 62 72 69;
204J Moul 69 69 66, P Bocian (Swe) 73 65 66;
205J Grillon (Fra) 66 70 69, M Reale (Ita) 69 66 70;
206J Abbate (Arg) 72 69 65, J Mellor 67 71 68, N Smith (USA) 69 66 71.
Irish: 211 (T29th)Gareth Shaw 70 69 72;
216 (T50)John Kelly 67 75 74, Alan Murray 72 70 74;
223 (T68)Justin Kehoe 75 77 71.
At Montenmedio (20 places) (Par 72): 206F Zanotti (Par) 68 71 67; 209M Quiros (Sp) 68 68 73, A Kristiansen (Nor) 67 70 72; 210A Snobeck (Fra) 69 72 69, J Parry 69 72 69, N Harris 73 66 71; 211W Booth 70 71 70, G Woodman 70 71 70. Irish:214 (T15) Peter O'Keeffe 70 71 73; 215 (T29)Jonathan Caldwell 71 74 70; 220 (T40)Richard Kilpatrick 71 71 78; 229 (T66)Mark Staunton 81 73 75; 239 (74)Daniel Sugrue 78 83 78.
At Arcos Gardens (20 places) (Par 72) 201S Luna (Sp) 66 69 66; 208J Ruth 70 72 66, J Morrison 69 70 69; 209 S Thornton67 70 72; 210A Bernadet (Fra) 71 71 68, J Little 68 72 70, M Ford 68 71 71, D Kupper (Ger) 71 66 73
At Sherry Golf Jerez (19 places) (Par 72) 202J Guerrier (Fra) 68 66 68; 206 S Jeppesen (Swe) 69 67 70; 208N Meitinger (Ger) 72 72 64, F Calmels (Fra) 69 71 68, J Makitalo (Fin) 70 68 70; 210A Crux 71 70 69, D Higgins73 69 68, C Carranza (Arg) 66 71 73. Other Irish: 216 (T32)Shane Lowry (am) 75 70 71; 217 (T37)Colm Moriarty 76 70 71; 218 (T44)Eddie Barr 72 75 71; 222(T54)Noel Fox 79 71 71
