The Ireland foursome of Paul Dunne, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie and Kevin Phelan are resigned to heading to the Tour School after indifferent displays in the Portugal Masters at Vilamoura.
Despite birding his opening three holes Dunne finished near the tail of the Oceanico Victoria course field with a final round 70 for a disappointing three over par tally and a share of 68th place.
The 22-year old faced the giant task, and in only his third Tour event as a pro, of securing a top-two on the Algarve to break into the top-111 that would earn him a 2016 Tour card in the final wash-up managed to pick-up two spots to 171st.
It means a tee time on November 6th for the Greystones golfer at one of four Spanish host courses.
“I did get off to a great start and I’m proud of myself I made the cut in all three of the events I played but it’s back to square one for me now and I will go back home and prepare for Stage Two of Q-School,” he said.
Ireland’s Kevin Phelan and one of four Irish now heading to the European Tour Q-Schoo;. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
McGrane, Lowry and Phelan are exempt into the November 14th to 19th Final Stage at PGA Catalunya, and the resort course sponsoring Lawrie.
McGrane, who posted a final round 66 to share 29th place at six under par, had spoken earlier in the week in retiring from the Tour but will tee-up in Spain knowing it will ensure he qualifies for next year’s Irish Open.
It will be the 44-year old Kells golfer’s first trip to the Q-School in a dozen years in moving up seven spots to 161st to the Race to Dubai but still 50 places shy of holding onto his card.
“I do intend to play less golf next year and the only reason I will go to Tour School as I will be looking for an invitation into next year’s Irish Open,” he said.
“So my visit to Tour School is purely to play next year at the K. Club.”
Phelan was second last in the Portugal field with a round of 72 for a five over total and while he moved up two spots to 124th on the money list, and a spot behind Lawrie.
Padraig Harrington had no other concern after his round of 69 and an eventual T31st finish other than to watch the last 20 minutes of Ireland losing out in their World Cup showdown with Argentina.
