Spence keeps hope alive for European Tour card

England's Jamie Spence today gave himself a fighting chance of keeping his European Tour card for 2007 with a third-round 66 in the Mallorca Classic.

The top 118 players on the money list on Sunday evening retain their playing privileges for next season and Spence began the week in 126th place, £16,000 behind Ireland's Gary Murphy in 118th.

Rounds of 78 and 69 meant Spence made the halfway cut with just one shot to spare on seven over par, but the 43-year-old from Kent fired eight birdies and four bogeys today to keep alive his hopes of the top-10 finish he requires.

"I could have had a really low round today but made three bogeys out of nowhere on the back nine," said Spence, chairman of the tour's tournament committee.

"I played great yesterday in a gale, it's just a shame about the first round. My club professional Paul Huggett - he's the cousin of former Ryder Cup captain Brian - gave me a lesson last week and I'm playing well. I wish I'd seen him sooner.

"I think I need to finish in the top 10, but I've not made any plans yet if I don't do it. I'm certainly going to play next year but I don't think I could get motivated to go back to the tour school.

"I can't face nine days away from home at my age [the tour school is played over six rounds] and 20 tournaments a year is enough for me so I'll probably take my chances.''

By making the cut Murphy had possibly done enough to keep his card and the 34-year-old from Kilkenny could even begin to entertain thoughts of claiming a first European Tour title.

A birdie on the first from three feet gave him a two-shot lead over the field, joint overnight leader Niclas Fasth twice finding sand on the opening hole to bogey.