With the third round of Stage One of the USPGA Q School almost completed there were mixed fortunes on Thursday for the 5 Irish players at Lantana, Texas, seeking places at the Second Stage next month.
Seamus Power of Waterford improved his score on day three - after a one under par 71 - to pick up another shot and move up to 4 under par for a share of 12th place. But the day might have been even better were it not for two consecutive bogeys on the last two holes - 17 and 18.
Mark Murphy also has a chance of securing a top 23 spot – and ties - following a two under par round of 70 to finish 3 under overall in a tie for 15h place.
Fergal Rafferty’s efforts on day two faded on the back nine on Thursday – after making the turn in level par – when he dropped five shots on the ruin in from the fifth hole and ending with a double bogey on the ninth hole - finish on 77 shots. The four over par score leaves the Tyrone player in share of 52nd place ahead of the final day
Thomas Kearney saw his hopes of shooting a low number damaged on the front nine after a bogey on the opening 10th hole, a double bogey on 15 and then a triple bogey on the eighteenth – to finish with a 78 and 6 over par.
Niall Turner was also unable to improve on his opening round of 75 – despite birdies on holes 7 and 13 - finishing three over par for a six over total and joins Kearney in a share of 60th place.
The overnight leader, Shawn Stefani, dropped to second place after a round of 71 and is now two shots behind the new leader, Casey Devoll, on 17 under - after a third round 66.
