Phelan finishes with a flourish to keep Tour hopes alive

Waterford Castle’s Kevin Phelan produced a storming finish to keep his chances of winning a European Tour alive with just one round to go at the gruelling final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Catalonia.

But Waterville’s David Higgins and Rosapenna’s Ruaidhri McGee are all but out of the running after enduring tough days on the Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya Resort near Girona.

As Phelan birdied his 16th and 17th holes at the Stadium Course for a two under 70 that left him just one stroke outside the top 25 and ties who will win tour cards today, Higgins bogeyed his last two holes for a disappointing two over 74 that left him eight shots outside the mark with McGee a shot further back after a 75.