McGee leads way in Cheshire

Belfast’s Ruaidhri McGee returned to the top of the leaderboard on the European Tour qualifying school in Cheshire yesterday — and looks certain to move into the second stage.

McGee fired a 71 over the Wychwood Park course in Crewe for a 211 54-hole aggregate and is five strokes clear of nearest rival American Ted Smith.

Dublin’s Colm Moriarty slumped to a disappointing 80 for 219, two behind former amateur champion Alan Dunbar. Dermot McElroy on 220 is still in the hunt but Paul Cutler is four back and needs a minor miracle to stay in contention.