Irish poker on the cards

Limerick’s Cian McNamara leads the Irish challenge at Stage One of the Q-School in France. Four Irish players are in position to qualify from the European Tour School Stage One Section C qualifier at  Golf d’Hardelot Les Pins in France.

With the top 18 and ties to go through to November’s second stage, Cian McNamara (T6), Neil O Briain (T10), Michael Collins (T13) and Tim Rice (T17) are all perfectly placed ahead of Friday’s fourth round.

James Reubotham took another step towards The European Tour Qualifying School Second Stage as the Englishman’s three under par third round of 69 meant he maintained his lead at First Stage Section C Golf d’Hardelot.

England’s James shot a third round 69 to lea by two from American Kelly Kraft on eight under with McNamara (69) just five behind on three under.

Royal Dublin man O Briain shot a second successive 68 to get to two under with Collins on one under after a 70.

Limerickman Rice slipped to a 73 but remained inside the qualifying mark on level par.

Kraft had one of the rounds of the day with a five under par 66, which left him on six under par and a shot clear of Canada’s Derek Gillespie, who carded a second successive three under par round of 68.