Giant step for Coughlan at School

Munster marvel Claire Coughlan took a giant step towards winning her Ladies European Tour card in Spain.

The Cork starlet, 26, hit a three under par third round 69 to move up to joint second place in the Qualifying School at La Cala.

With only today's final round remaining, Coughlan is just two shots behind leader Samantha Head on four under.

The amateur ace only needs to finish in the the top 25 to earn full playing rights on the pro tour next season.

And she could be joined by Curtis Cup and Ireland team mate Martina Gillen, who made the 54-hole cut with nothing to spare

Gillen birdied two of her last five holes for a level par 72 that left her just inside the vital top 50 on seven over.

But there was no luck for Hazel Kavanagh, who missed out by two shots after a 73.

The former Irish champion will still partner Rebecca Coakley in the $1.2 million Women's World Cup of Golf in South Africa from January 19-21.