Murphy and Kearney sitting pretty

KILKENNY’S Gary Murphy took another step towards regaining his card and Niall Kearney showed his huge potential on a wind-lashed second day of the European Tour Qualifying School finals at PGA Golf Catalunya.

A cold southwest wind gusting over 30 mph sent scores soaring at the stunning 36-hole Catalan complex just outside Girona but Murphy was up to the challenge as he leapt into a share of seventh place on six under par.

The 37-year old added a three under par 67 on the easier Tour Course to his excellent 69 on the punishing Stadium Course on Saturday to move 22 places up the leaderboard and trail English pace-setters Charlie Ford and Simon Khan by just five strokes.