Rice only Irish survivor in European Tour qualifier

Limerick’s Tim Rice did what his three fellow countrymen couldn’t in northern France yesterday — progress to the next stage of European Tour qualifying.

Going into the final round at Golf d’Hardelot there were real hopes that all four Irishmen – Rice, Cian McNamara, Neil O’Briain and Michael Collins – would secure their places in November’s second phase.

But in the end only Rice, who carded a one-over-par 72, made it through, though he only qualified by one stroke while Royal Dublin’s O’Briain (75), McNamara (76), also from the Limerick club, and Mallow’s Collins (76) fell at the final hurdle.

For Rice, it was an up and down last day with two birdies and three bogeys coming in the first six holes. However, he got things under control after the turn and despite dropping a shot at the 13th, held his nerve over the remaining holes.

American Kelly Kraft topped the standings with a 72-hole total of 276.

The final events of European Tour first stage qualifying take place next week at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire and Ribagolfe in Portugal with a host of Irish talent involved.