Murphy needs magic at Q-School

PGA Tour hopeful Mark Murphy may need a round in the mid-60s to keep his American dream alive in Texas.

The Waterville man followed rounds of 72 and 74 with a three under 69 in the stage two qualifier at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney (click here for scores). But that still left him tied for 41st on one-under par - four strokes outside the top 20 and ties who go through to next month’s final stage.

TPC Craig Ranch is just one of six stage two venues hosting qualifiers and many familiar names are in action, such at European Tour winner Pablo Martin, who is tied for second at Murphy’s venue.

Ulsterman Chris Devlin blew his chances of progressing to the final stage when he opened with a nightmare 82 at Panama City’s Hombre Golf Club in Florida. But he has shown plenty of character since then following a  level par 71 with a three-under 68 in Friday’s third round.

A former team mate of Graeme McDowell at the Univeristy of Alabama, Birmingham, the Ballmena native finished his third round in style by holing out for an eagle two at the 359-yard ninth.

Tied for 50th on eight over, he’s nine strokes outside the top 19 and ties who qualify and needs a miracle round to progress. Stranger things have happened and he’s certainly got nothing to lose on what is effectively his home course these days.