Brady and Kelly make it five Irish at European Tour School

IRELAND will have five players competing in this week’s European Tour School at San Roque in the south of Spain.

Dubliner Eamonn Brady joined the already exempt Stephen Browne, Colm Moriarty and Philip Walton on Saturday when he tied for 14th in the second pre-qualifier at Costa Ballena near Cadiz.

Brady, a West of Ireland amateur champion and nephew of soccer star Liam, added a 73 to his rounds of 69, 69 and 70 to finish seven under par.

John Kelly, the recently-appointed club professional at St Margaret’s, also made it to San Roque by shooting two under par 70 to tie for 20th. The leading 27 players at three Spanish venues qualified for the Tour School. But there was disappointment for Kilkenny pro Jimmy Bolger who tied for 32nd on 284, one shot too many, while former Walker Cup golfer Noel Fox was unable to undo the damage of Friday’s 79 despite rallying with a 71 for even par and a share of 52nd.

Amateurs Michael McGeady (56th) on 289 and Darren Crowe (tied 57th) on 290 lacked the necessary consistency and Galwegian David Mortimer crashed to a 79 for 292 and tied for 63rd. Among the other failures were established Tour players Mark Davis, Barry Hume and Jamie Elson.

Dubliner Greg Bowden was the only Irishman involved in the qualifier at Catalunya near Barcelona and he finished well back in 60th place after rounds of 70, 77, 71 and 76. Julien Quesne of France came out on top here with a thirteen under par total of 271 while there was a four way tie at the top at Emporda involving German Kariem Baraka, Marco Crespi of Italy, Cedric Menut of France and England’s Robert Rock while veteran Welshman Mark Mouland lost out in a play-off for the last spot.

Costa Ballena: Irish: 281 (tied 14th) Eamonn Brady 69, 69, 70, 73. 282 (tied 20th) - John Kelly 67, 74, 71, 70. Both qualified for final Tour School at San Roque. Also: 284 (tied 32nd) - Jimmy Bolger 71, 68, 74, 71. 288 (tied 52nd) Noel Fox 70, 68, 79, 71. 289 (56th) - Michael McGeady 75, 69, 70, 75. 290 - (tied 57th) Darren Crowe 73, 71, 75, 71. 292 (tied 63rd) David Mortimer 71, 67, 75, 79.

Catalunya: Irish: 294 (tied 60th) Greg Bowden 70, 77, 71, 76.