Irish face Tour School ordeal

The Ireland foursome of Paul Dunne, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie, and Kevin Phelan are resigned to a trip to Tour School after indifferent displays in the Portugal Masters at Vilamoura.

Dunne, who had birdied his opening three holes, finished near the tail of the Oceanico Victoria course field with a final round of 70 for a disappointing three-over-par tally and a share of 68th.

The 22-year-old faced the giant task, in his third Tour event as a pro, of securing a top-two result on the Algarve if he was to break into the top-111 that would earn him a 2016 Tour card.

Now at 171st in the rankings, it means a tee time on November 6 at one of four Spanish host courses.

“I did get off to a great start and I’m proud that I made the cut in all three of the events I played, but it’s back to square one for me and I will go back home and prepare for Stage Two of Q-School,” the Greystones golfer said.

McGrane, Lowry, and Phelan are exempt and head into the November 14-19 final stage at PGA Catalunya, with the resort course sponsoring Lawrie.

McGrane, who posted a final-round 66 to share 29th at six under par, had spoken earlier in the week of retiring from the Tour but will tee-up in Spain knowing it will ensure he qualifies for next year’s Irish Open.

It will be the 44-year-old Kells golfer’s first trip to the Q-School in a dozen years after moving up seven spots to 161st on the Race to Dubai but still 50 places shy of holding on to his card.

“I do intend to play less golf next year and the only reason I will go to Tour School is I will be looking for an invitation into next year’s Irish Open,” he said. “So my visit to Tour School is purely to play next year at the K Club.”

Phelan was second-last in the Portugal field with a round of 72 for a five-over total, moving up two spots to 124th on the money list, a spot behind Lawrie.

Padraig Harrington had no other concern after his round of 69 and an eventual T31st finish than to race to watch the last 20 minutes of Ireland losing out in their World Cup showdown with Argentina.

Andy Sullivan celebrated a 300th England victory on the European Tour, storming to a nine-shot success with a 66 for a 23-under-par tally.

After being seen chatting with European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke earlier in the week, a trip to Hazeltine next year could be on the agenda for Sullivan. “It’s up to Darren isn’t it, but then you never know what could happen,” said Sullivan.