Final four on the charge to Catalunya

THERE was joy in southern Spain last night for four Irishmen who battled their way through Stage 2 of the European Tour qualifying process and now go forward to the marathon six-round decider beginning at Catalunya, Girona, on Saturday.

Waterville’s David Higgins, a veteran of these nerve-wracking occasions, came good at Las Colinas in Alicante with a final round of 68 that pushed him up to four under and a share of 16th place along with Limerick’s Cian McNamara, who went round in 69.

Ballymena’s Chris Devlin made light of the pressure over at El Valle, Murcia, as he brought in a superb closing 67 to claim a share of 14th place. Another Northern Ireland star, Jonathan Caldwell, came through a play-off at the same venue to qualify.