WATERFORD’S GARY HURLEY produced a stunning five-under par fourth round to keep his hopes alive of clinching a European Tour card for next season.
The 23-year-old has struggled for consistency at Q-School this week but picked up an eagle and four birdies to card a 65 on the Tour Course, which saw him end the day on an even-par total and just above the cut line.
Hurley began the gruelling week in Girona, Spain with a four-over 74 on the Tour Course before following that with a three-under par 69 on the Stadium Course in his second round.
The see-saw nature of his week continued on the Stadium Course yesterday when he carded a four-over 76, which put his spot for the final two rounds in jeopardy.
With the pressure on, Hurley produced the goods today back on the traditionally easier Tour Course at PGA Catalunya, including a birdie on the 18th, to scrape through.
Hurley is tied for 62nd on the leaderboard, 12 shots behind leader Nathan Kimsey of England who carded a remarkable nine-under par 61 on the Tour Course, including six birdies and two eagles.
Antrim’s Michael Hoey is also in the mix to regain his Tour card as he finished alongside Hurley on even-par following a 71 on the Tour Course today.
Hurley and Hoey have a lot of work to do though, with Tour cards only on offer for the top 25 plus ties at the end of the six rounds on Thursday.
They are currently four shots off that crucial mark but Hurley is confident he can make his way up the leaderboard.
“The primary goal was to make the top 25, otherwise there’s no point in being here,” Hurley told the European Tour website after today’s round.
“I’ve given myself a chance now and if I can get back to how I normally play golf for the next couple of days hopefully I’ll be in with a shout on the back nine on Thursday.
“The Stadium [Course] is probably a tougher golf course and more demanding. Some of the shots I hit on the Tour [Course] I wouldn’t have got away with on the Stadium.
“Hopefully I can iron out some stuff on the range and put two good rounds together.”
Ireland’s Ruaidhri McGee (six-over) and Kevin Phelan (seven-over) failed to make the cut for the fifth and sixth rounds.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
