Cool Damien McGrane opens up at Girona in Qualifying School Final Stage

Damien McGrane might have little interest in tournament golf at this stage of the season — and his career — but he has a funny way of showing it after a fine fourth round at the Qualifying School Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona.

The Kells man was one of four Irish who made the cut for the final two rounds (today and tomorrow) which will determine who secures full playing rights for next year’s European Tour.

McGrane shot a one-under round of 71 on the Stadium course to see him climb to eight under overall, six off the lead set by Daniel Gavins, Jean Hugo and Chris Hanson (-14).

Three bogeys and four birdies was the story of the Irishman’s round and it was one he expressed satisfaction at.

“I’ve done the best I could out there each day,” he said. “My golf hasn’t been great but I’ve made the best of every opportunity.

“I’ve had a few bits of good fortune where I’ve turned bogeys into birdies and all of a sudden I’m doing okay.”

But he’s not getting carried away with his good form as though well-placed in a tie for 12th, he doesn’t even know what his plans are for 2016.

“I’m bored playing tournament golf, and I showed that this year,” he added.

“If I got a card that allowed me to play a little bit of golf next year; great because it gives me options but right now, unfortunately, I’ve lost my interest in tournaments. Maybe if I sit at home for the next four or five months in miserable weather and get jobs unloading and loading the dishwasher I might say ‘Christ I better go back and play golf’.

“I already said I need to take my time and decide what I really want to do and if I spend most of next year doing that then so be it. The only reason I’m here this week is to give myself the option.”

McGrane expressed his wish for young Irish players to come in and take his place as he’s been on Tour for 13 years now. “I’d love to see the Irish lads get through for a Tour card and if nothing else, a Challenge Tour card because there are some great young players in Ireland.

“They just need that break because it’s very difficult to come here for six rounds. There’s nothing easy about this place so I’d love to see a couple of Irish lads survive it.”

Of the other three Irish who remain standing, 22-year-old Paul Dunne looks best placed to secure a Tour card after a superb 68 on the Stadium course.

It was all the more impressive given he shot five birdies, three on the back nine, to shoot up to seven under in a tie for 18th. Kevin Phelan also took a step in the right direction but still has work to do if he’s going to make it inside the top 25 and ties who secure full playing priorities next year. He’s four shots behind Dunne on three under after a one over round of 73.

“I’d plenty chances and the game is good so I can’t complain too much,” said Phelan. “It could’ve been a lot better or a lot worse because I either hit really good or really bad iron shots,” he said, after handing in his card.

The other Irishman who’ll tee off today is Royal County Down player Simon Thornton. He was solid if not spectacular on the Stadium course yesterday, carding a one-under round of 71 for two under overall.

Irish scores:

D McGrane 71, 68, 66, 71 (-8); P Dunne 71, 68, 70, 68 (-7); K Phelan 70, 72, 66, 73 (-3); S Thornton 71, 67, 73, 71 (-2); R McGee 64, 87, 73, 66 (+6); B Casey 76, 69, 75, 71 (+7).