Challenge Tour team aim for top 15

Ireland's Challenge Tour contingent will tee up in the BA CA Golf Open presented by Telekom Austria, knowing time is running out in the race for the top 15 places on the 2004 rankings, which guarantees a European Tour card for next season.

Dubliner Stephen Browne and Belfast's Michael Hoey can get to within striking distance of a place by winning the €24,000 first prize this weekend, while Ryder Cup legend Phillip Walton needs to win two of the remaining seven events to avoid another trip to qualifying school in November.

Browne and Hoey are lying 25th and 35th in the rankings, having enjoyed some excellent results this year, with Browne impressive in winning the Norwegian Challenge Open a fortnight ago.