Syme back in contention for Euro card after brilliant 63

Drumoig’s Connor Syme shot a brilliant eight-underpar 63 for a 54-hole tally of 208 and is now the leading Scot at the European Tour qualifying school final stage at Lumine Golf Club, Spain.

Syme, former Scottish amateur champion Robert MacIntyre (71 for 209), from Oban, Aberdeen’s David Law (70 for 211), Ewen Ferguson (69 for 213) and Ross Kellett (also 69 for 213) look likely to survive today’s fourth-round cut which will reduce the field to the leading 70 and ties before the final two rounds which will decide the leading 25 who gain promotion to the European Tour next season.

Syme, who moved up to joint 20th, six shots behind Englishman Laurie Canter (67 for 202), had eight birdies in bogey-free halves of 31 and 32 over the par-71 Lakes Course. Syme said: “It’s crazy to be 10 shots different from yesterday.”

The prospects are not good, however, for Scott Henry (68 for 215), Grant Forrest (71 for 216), Chris Doak (74 for 218) and Duncan Stewart (69 for 219).

Grantown’s Stewart is joint 129th and needs to improve at least 49 placings on the strength of his fourth round.

MacIntyre is now tied 21st after having four birdies and three bogeys in his 71 at the par-72 Hills Course.

Law, playing at the qualifying school final stage for the third year in a row, got back on track with a two-under 70 at the Hills Course and is joint 34th. He had four birdies and two bogeys at the Hills Course.

Kellett has fought back well after an opening 77 and rounds of 67 followed by a 69 has lifted him to a share of 68th place alongside Ferguson.