Paul Dunne on the march at European Tour's Q-School

Paul Dunne underlined his immense talent on the penultimate day of the Qualifying School Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona yesterday.

The 22-year-old Greystones man might be a novice compared to some of the old stagers battling for European Tour cards next year, but he showed nerves of steel and no little class in moving to within seven shots of the lead.

Dunne shot a superb 69 for three under par and he’s tied on 13th going into today’s final round on the punishing Stadium course.

With only the top 25 and ties securing full playing rights for next year’s Race to Dubai, Dunne has given himself some considerable wiggle room starting today on 10 under.

“I’m delighted with yesterday, considering with how I played,” he said afterwards.

“I’d a lot of ropy shots out there so to keep bogeys off the card was a goal of mine and I was happy to do that.

“I hit a lot of great iron shots and then some horrendous ones as well so it was kind of a mixed bag, and I was happy with how I scrambled,” he added.

Dunne was one of the few who seemed to be genuinely enjoying the experience yesterday, but he did confess he’s looking forward to a lie-in tomorrow.

“It’s been a really long year,” he continued. “I’m enjoying the week but I’m looking forward to getting back to my bed tomorrow and spending some time at home.

“This year has been beyond what I’d have pictured 12 months ago but I’m not going to step back from any opportunities that arise; it’s been a great year but I’m not finished yet.

“A year ago, my main goal was to get through Q-School so everything that’s happened in the meantime (like leading the Open) has been a nice bonus, I’ve tried to take it in my stride as well as I can.”

If Dunne can allow himself a blip or two today, the same cannot be said for Damien McGrane, who was forced to grind hard to card a 72 and level par for the day.

The Kells man dropped five places to tied 19th on eight over, the double bogey on the par three fifth threatening to derail his chances of securing a card. But he showed huge resilience to claw one back at the sixth and two more on the 12th and 15th, respectively.

For the remaining Irish in the field, a miracle is probably required to see either squeeze through.

Kevin Phelan was disgusted with his round of 75 which saw him slip to tied 68th on level par, seven shots the wrong side of the decisive threshold.

He was three over for the day and is currently on level par.

Similarly placed (on tied 68th) is Simon Thornton, though he was one shot better than Phelan for the day with 74.

The double bogey on 14 looked to have ended his chances for another year but two birdies in the final four holes will give him a glimmer of hope starting today.

And like McGrane a day before, the Bradford-born Royal County Down pro admits his patience for this is wearing thin for living life out of a suitcase.

“Being away from family is the part you hate,” said father of two Thornton, who’s played just 15 times this year.

“I still love competing. But I went through a phase when I hated being away and I hated golf. Now I just hate being away. I still love golf though,” he said.

While the battle for European Tour cards is paramount this week and generates most of the talk around the salubrious setting of PGA Catalunya, a battle of a different kind facing English golfer Matt Southgate put the import of matters into perspective.

The 27-year-old has been the story of the week so far, revealing how he’s recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer while also admitting his two-year old niece is currently receiving treatment for leukaemia.

Little wonder, the biggest cheers that greeted his six birdies yesterday could be heard long before he was seen.

He’s currently lying tied 8th, five off the lead on 12 under.

Setting the pace at the top of the leaderboard are England’s Ross McGowan and Daniel Im (USA) on 17 under, with Spaniard Adrian Otaegui and South African pair Huge Jean and Ulrich Van Den Berg two shots further back.

McGowan was sublime during his round of 64 while Im mixed an eagle with a double bogey on the back nine as well as six birdies throughout to ensure a thrilling final day.

Irish scores:

P Dunne 71, 68, 70, 68, 69 (-10); D McGrane 71, 68, 66, 71, 72 (-8); K Phelan 70, 72, 66, 73, 75 (par); S Thornton 71, 67, 73, 71, 74 (par).