Joe Dillon enjoyed an encouraging start in his bid to earn a European Tour card with an opening round 71 at the first stage qualifying school event at The Players Club, Bristol.

Kevin Phelan will look to carry momentum from his top-five finish at Carton House into the European Amateur Championships into this week’s Home Internationals.

A third-round, seven-under-par 65 from Sweden’s Pontus Widegren may have pushed hopes of a home win in the European Amateur Championship beyond leading Irish men Kevin Phelan and Alan Dunbar.