Eight Irish players keep Tour card hopes alive

EIGHT Irish golfers came through the first qualifying stage of the European Tour Qualifying School over the St Annes Old Links in Lancashire yesterday.

Leading the way was Galwegian David Mortimer who finished on 15 under par 273 to tie for 3rd spot while Michael McGeady, the burly Donegalman who helped North West capture the Bulmers Irish Senior Cup in Rosslare last week, yesterday shot his second successive 67 to comfortably make the cut. The other Irishmen to keep alive their hopes of Tour cards in 2006 were Alan Murray, Darren Crowe, Noel Fox, John Kelly, Danny Surgure and Eamonn Brady.

Former carpenter Henrik Bjornstad from Norway spreadeagled the St Annes field with an incredible total of 23 under par 265. And as always on these occasions, his success was tinged with a delightful touch of romance.