Devlin and Power on course at PGA Tour Q-School

Who’s that practising with Chris Devlin during the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines?Ballymena’s Chris Devlin and Waterford’s Seamus Power are the only Irish players inside the qualifying positions at the first stage of the PGA Tour Q-School.

Former UAB scholarship student fired a one under par 71 in the second round to share 11th place at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in Texas, where the top 18 and ties progress to next month’s second stage.

Waterville’s Mark Murphy failed to make a birdie in a two over 74 at the same venue but is just one stroke outside the qualifying places in tied 19th on one-over par.

West Waterford star Power hit a second consecutive 70 to share 20th at The Club at Irish Creek in North Carolina where the top 22 and ties go through.

At Grasslands Golf & Country Club in Florida, former professional footballer Staphen Grant raced to five under through five holes when he followed birdies at the second and third with an eagle three at the fourth and birdie at the fifth.

But the Birr man bogeyed the eighth, 12th and 16th to undo most of his good work before a birdie at the gave him a three under 69. That left him tied 26th and just a shot outside the top 22 and ties to progress from that venue. 

Bray’s Keith Nolan began his quest at The Auburn University Club in Alabama but with the top 19 and ties to progress, he has work to do after a two over 74 left him tied for 34th.