Higgins makes strong start in Tour card quest

David Higgins’ quest to retain his European Tour card for 2014 got off to a strong start after his opening round in the final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.

The Waterville golfer fired a three under par 67 around the Tour Course to leave him in a tie for 28th place at the PGA Catalunya Course in Girona, Spain.

Higgins, 40, got off to the best possible start with a birdie at the first but a bogey five at the fourth brought him back to level par and that’s how it stayed heading to the back nine.