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.

But he managed birdies at 10,15, 16 and 18 as well as a bogey at the 14th to leave him in a good position with five rounds still to play of the gruelling event.

Ruaidhri McGee, who won his first qualifying stage at Wychwood Park in September, shot a two under par 70 over the Stadium course. Belfast’s McGee finished the day in a share of 44th.

Ballymena’s Ddermot McElroy was also two under par for the day over on the Tour Course after his round of 68.

Kevin Phelan will have a lot of work to do today after a disappointing 73 left him at one over around the Stadium Course. Waterford’s Phelan is currently in 103rd place and needs a drastic change in fortunes if he is to mount any sort of challenge.