First place at Bogogno at the First Qualifying Stage – Section D was shared by Spain’s Francesco Valera and Italian Marco Crespi. The leading duo finished on 18 under par 270 after closing rounds of 64 and 65 respectively and Italy had further reason to celebrate with another home grown player coming in third as Marco Guerisoli finished on 273, 15 under par.
Ruaidhri McGee finished with a final round 74 in 36th place and outside the qualifying mark.
A total of 28 players qualified for the Second Qualifying Stage, which will take place in Spain at the end of November, after coming in at five under par or better.
At Wychwood Park England’s James Heath led from start to finish in the First Qualifying Stage – Section D at Wychwood Park to lead the 28 qualifiers through to the next stage.
Heath, who has previously played on The European Tour having progressed through the Challenge Tour, and had led from the outset after his opening 68 and closed with a level par 72 to finish at seven under par 281, one clear of the amateur Matthew Southgate, also of England, who shot a final round 68.
Australian Scott Arnold took third place ahead of former European Tour player turned manager Gary Evans, taking a shot at a return to the big time after a four year beak from the game. Evans finished with a 71 for a four under par total of 284, a score matched by Welshman Nick James.
Dara Lernihan finished in 36th place on +6 along with Paul O’Hanlon who signed for a round of 75.
Brendan McCarroll finished on +7.
A total of 28 players qualified for the Second Qualifying Stage, which will take place in Spain at the end of November.
