Browne back in business

From Brian Keogh at San Roque

Stephen Browne produced a stunning back nine recovery to keep his hopes alive of making today's four-round cut as Colm Moriarty took another giant step towards earning his card in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.

Tied for 120th starting the day, Browne holed a 50 footer on the last at the Old Course for his sixth birdie on the day in a two under par 70 to move to within a shot of the top 70 and ties who will contest the last two rounds in joint 77th.

One over par through the turn thanks to some brilliant scrambling, the Dubliner got back to level par with two to play before finishing birdie-birdie to share 74th place on three over.

"That was just what the doctor ordered," said Browne. "For the first eight holes I didn’t play well and it could have got away from me but my short game was razor sharp. Then I found a swing thought on the back nine and made some birdies coming in. I stayed aggressive to the end and that’s what I have to do."

Glasson's Moriarty had three birdies and two bogeys in testing conditions the New Course to share 19th place with 11 others on two under par - just inside the top 30 and ties who will earn tour cards after six rounds.

The remaining Irish hopefuls played the Old Course with Belfast's Damian Mooney (76) five shots outside the projected cut mark on seven over while Peter O'Keeffe (76) and Michael McGeady (75) are tied for 150th on 12 over par.

Spaniards Luis Claverie (68) and Pablo Larranazabal (71) lead by a stroke on eight under par from Scotland's Alan McLean and Austrian pair Florian Praegant and Martin Wiegele.