Irish trio advance to final stage of qualification

MOUNT JULIET’S Gavin Moynihan, Tramore’s Robin Dawson and Ardglass’ Cormac Sharvin made it to the final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

Moynihan was fourth on 15-under after a closing 66 at Desert Springs in Alicante where Clandeboye’s Jonny Caldwell (69) agonisingly lost out in an eight-man playoff for the last six spots on eight-under.

Dawson fired a one-under 71 and Sharvin a 70 to leave them tied for sixth on 13-under at El Encin Golf Hotel in Madrid where Old Conna’s Neil O’Briain (73) missed out by five strokes on four-under.

Waterford Castle’s Kevin Phelan (72) also finished five shots outside the Desert Springs playoff on threeunder with West Waterford’s Gary Hurley (75) back on level par.

Derry’s Rúaidhrí McGee (66) was six shots outside qualifying on one-under at Las Colinas Golf and Country Club in Alicante with Cameron Raymond (72) two further back.

Naas’ Conor O’Rourke (72) came up ten shots shy on four-over at Alenda Golf as six played off for the final four spots.

The final stage will be played at Lumine Golf Club in Tarragona and starts this Saturday.