Power play at PGA Tour Q-School

Seamus Power fired a third round 68 in North Carolina and looks certain to progress to the second stage of the PGA Tour Q-School.

But Mark Murphy, Chris Devlin and Stephen Grant need to go low in the final round of their stage one qualifiers in Texas and Florida today to keep their US Tour dreams alive.

As Bray’s Keith Nolan hit a five over 77 in the second round in Alabama to slip six shots outside the qualifying spots at The Auburn University Club in Alabama, West Waterford star Power made a big move when he hit five birdies and two bogeys in a three under 68 at The Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis in North Carolina.

The three-time Irish Youths champion and East Tennessee State University graduate moved up nine spot to tied 11th on five under at a venue where the top 22 and ties (three under) progress.

At Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney, Texas, Waterville man Murphy had five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey in a level par 72 as he fell three places to tied 22nd on one over.

The top 18 and ties (even par) go through and that means that Ballymena native Devlin also has work to do after a three over 75 relegated him to tied 32nd on two over.

Former professional footballer Grant, who hails from Birr, managed just one birdie in a one over 73 at Grasslands Golf & Country Club in Lakeland, Florida.

The top 22 and ties are four under or better and at two under par, Grant will need to break 70 today to make sure of his place in Stage Two.

The second stage will be played at six venues from November 15-19 with the top 30 after December’s Final Stage guaranteed their PGA Tour tour cards for 2012.