McGee slips back as Phelan makes progress

Ruaidhri McGee’s hopes of securing a European Tour Card suffered a blow after his third round of the final qualifying stage in Spain yesterday.

After his stunning four-under par 66 on the Tour Course at the PGA Catalunya Course in Girona on Monday, he slumped out of the top 10 after carding a two-over par 72.

Playing on the Tour Course once again, the Rosapenna star carded a triple bogey seven at the par-four 12th along with another bogey at the 13th to leave him at two over for the day and four under for the tournament with an aggregate score of 209.

The top 70 after today’s fourth round will advance to the final 36 holes tomorrow andFriday, following which the top 25 will win a spot on next year’s European Tour. McGee is now in a share of 32nd place along with Waterford’s Kevin Phelan.

The 23-year old Phelan (pictured) recovered from successive bogeys at the 4th and 5th to record an eagle at the par 5 10th and birdies at the 14th and 18th and finish with a two under 68 for the day and four under par overall.

David Higgins is currently just inside the top 70, one of many in a share of 66th.

The 40-year old Waterville man will need to better round yesterday’s two over 72 which left him on level par for the tournament.

Dermot McElroy’s hopes of getting his hands on a card look bleak after a disastrous four over 76 around the Stadium Course.

The Ballymena amateur is now on four over par and in a share of 102nd place and will need a large piece of good fortune if he is to make it into the top 70 and ties by the end of the fourth round.

England’s James Morrison and Sweden’s Jens Dantorp currently lead the way on 10 under par.

Three three-time European Tour winners have struggled: Peter Hedblom reached five over, Nick Dougherty six over and Johan Edfors seven over.