Carey and O’Rourke on course in Italy

DAVID CAREY continued his incredible run of form in Italy to roar into a five-stroke lead at halfway in the First Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Just a month after shooting an 11-under 57 en route to victory on the Alps Tour, the Dubliner (23) fired an 11-under 61 at Bogogno Golf Resort to lead on 17-under, carding nine birdies and an eagle. The top 19 and ties will progress to the Second Stage in Spain next month and Naas’ Conor O’Rourke is also on track after a 63 left him tied fifth on 10-under.

At Frilford Heath in the UK, Whitehead’s John-Ross Galbraith (67-72) is tied for sixth on five-under, just three shots off the lead with Niall Kearney (69-71) tied 10th and Paul McBride (72-67) joint 17th.

But it looks like an uphill task now for Derry’s Ruaidhri McGee at the First Stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament in Florida after a second-round 74 left him six shots outside the top 23 to qualify at halfway.

Meanwhile, Ireland won the Senior Women’s Senior Home Internationals for the third year in a row when they pipped England on a countback at Rosses Point.

Valerie Hassett’s charges also denied England a clean sweep of all six Home International Championships this year.

With storms forcing today’s schedule to be scrapped, two sets of five singles were played yesterday.

Ireland beat Wales 4-1 before edging out England for the title on overall matches won (11 wins to 10) when they drew 2.5-2.5 in the afternoon thanks to wins for Laura Webb and Alison Taylor and a title-clinching half for Gertie McMullen.