Browne finds inspiration

Stephen Browne discovered a swing thought just in time to revive his card bid in the third round of the 108-hole European Tour Qualifying School Finals at windy San Roque.

As Colm Moriarty stayed on track in joint 19th after a fine 71, Browne had to battle to stay alive before storming home in 33 for a six-birdie 70 that gives him a chance of making the four-round cut tonight.

The 33-year-old Dubliner was one over par through the turn and six over for the tournament when he recalled a move that helped him storm home in 33 with birdies at the last two holes.

The Dubliner got up and down for birdie on the par five 17th and then drained a 50 footer on the Old Course’s 18th for a two under par 70 that leaves him just one stroke outside the projected cut mark in tied 77th on three over par.

“That was just what the doctor ordered,” said Browne. “For the first eight holes I didn’t play well and I could have been four or five over.

“But a few things occurred to me about my swing - something my coach Brendan McDaid told me once upon a time and I started to hit it really well.”

Moriarty’s one under par 71 on the New Course left him just inside the vital top 30 and ties on two under par but things look bleak for the other Irish hopefuls, who all played on the Old Course yesterday.

Damian Mooney found water three times in a 76 and is five shots outside the projected cut mark on seven over par while Cork’s Peter O’Keeffe (76) and Michael McGeady (75) are well out of the reckoning in joint 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 (67) and Martin Wiegele (69).