A forecast improvement in the winds in Scotland should see the second round completed in the European Tour Qualifying School Section C at Dundonald Links on Thursday with play under way since 7:30.
However it is now increasingly likely that play will run into part of Saturday – for the fourth round - in order to complete 72 holes as there is insufficient daylight to make up the lost 24 hours on Thursday and Friday.
Only an increased number of withdrawals could alleviate the time sheet and perhaps allow for a fourth round on Friday afternoon.
In the original schedule Thursday should have seen the completion of 54 holes with only those players within 7 shots of the final qualifying place going forward to contest the final round on Friday.
A number of players in Dundonald were originally due to play in the Connemara Pro Am on the Irish PGA Region on Saturday and this may not be possible given the delays.
Speaking after his round yesterday of 77 Michael Collins of FORE Ireland explained:
“Anything under 80 was acceptable given the tough conditions today. The best score was two over and so the first round was all about getting around the course as safely as possible.”
“Easy in conditions like these this to go into double figures which creates more pressure. So foive over is not too bad in those circumstances.”
“The windy conditions are set to improve for the rest of the week somewhat and so we will just hope for the best.”
Michael Collins was in an eight way share of 6th place in a group that includes Damien Mooney. The majority of the remaining Irish players are still in touch six or seven shots off the leader.
Mark Staunton of FORE Ireland plays again today with the current leader, Wallace Booth from Scotland, who finished on Wednesday with a 74.
Events are Fleesensee are ahead of Dundonald Links and it is expected that the event will be completed as planned – albeit not as early as originally planned on Friday.
Four players currently share the lead on four under par 68 - Max Glauert of Germany, Jerome Theunis of Belgium, Ben Jones of England and Matthew Bliss of Canada.
The leading Irish player is Sean Patrick Ryan carding a round of 73 to finish one over par in a share of 27th.
Pairings:
