Eight Irishmen in European Tour card bid

IRELAND have eight representatives at the European Challenge Tour's two tournaments which tee off today - the Rolex Trophy and the Norwegian Challenge Open.

Belfast's Michael Hoey will join the top ranked 33 (plus three invited players) at the 22nd Rolex Trophy at the Golf Club de Genève in Switzerland, while seven other Irishmen will vie for the inaugural Norwegian Challenge Open at the Vestfold Golf Club in Tønsberg.

Hoey, currently 30th on the rankings with €26,186, can jump back into the top 15 with a victory, and if he can remain there for the rest of the season he will guarantee himself a European Tour place.