Kelly and Grant struggling at School
England's Ryan Brown leads at Frilford Heath. Picture © European Tour
Ireland's Mike Kelly and Stephen Grant are five shots outside the qualifying places with two rounds to go in the at the European Tour First Qualifying Stage Section D event at Frilford Heath.
As Englishman Ryan Brown moved to the top of the leaderboard with a fine second round seven under 65 at the First Qualifying Stage Section D event at Frilford Heath, two shots clear of American Charlie Harrison on 12 under par, Kelly (76) and Grant (72) are tied for 52nd on four over par.
The top 23 and ties — one under par after 36 holes — will progress to the Second Qualifying Stage in Spain next month but that looks like a tough task for both Irishmen. Scores
Kelly went out in level par 36 but came home in 40 with two birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey six on his card.
Grant started at the 10th but after an eagle two at the 354-yard 14th and a birdie at the 18th got him back to one over for the tournament, he handed those shots back with a bogey at the third and a double bogey six at the eighth.
There ware no Irish in action In the corresponding Section D event at Ribagolfe in Lisbon where Swiss Raphaël De Sousa built on a fine opening 68 with a second round 69 to move to a seven under.
He's one shot clear of Spain's Alfredo Garcia-Heredia who notched up seven birdies in a 68 and now lies six under par, alone in second place and one shot clear of four players at the Portuguese venue.
All of the above look likely to qualify, providing there are no major hiccups, as Ribagolfe will see 22nd place and better, including ties, progressing to the next round which is staged in Spain over four courses from November 7-10.
