Turner and Kearney in cut battle at Q-School

Niall Turner opened with a one over 72 at the Asian Tour Q-School final stageIreland’s Niall Turner and Niall Kearney have work to do just to make the cut after shooting over par in the first round of the Asian Tour Q-School Final Stage in Thailand.

Playing alongside Brunei’s Prince Hakeem Jefri, who is tied for last place following an 11 over 82, Muskerry native Turner opened with a one over 72 at Springfield Royal Country Club to share 120th place with only the top 100 and ties qualifying for the last two rounds in Hua Hin.

Prince Hakeem Jefri of Brunei had a tough day at the coursePlaying in the group just ahead of Turner, Dubliner Niall Kearney carded a disappointing three over 74 to share 174th place.

Turner is just a shot outside the top 100 ahead of Thursday’s second round at Imperial Lakeview Golf Club and if both men make the cut they have time to finish in the top 40 and ties and secure their playing  rights on the Asian Tour for the 2013 season.

Thailand’s Donlaphatchai Niyomchon set the early pace with an opening seven-under-par 64 to lead by a stroke from compatriot Sattaya Supupramai Canada’s Richard Lee, Australia’s Anthony Choat and Sweden’s Thomas Petersson.

Forty-three players were on three under or better. Scores