Whitson shines as McGee struggles in Rome; Power trailing
Reeve Whitson. Picture by Pat Cashman
Challenge Tour — Royal County Down's Reeve Whitson was the privisional leader in the weather delayed EMC Challenge Open in Rome after he played the front nine at Olgiata in two under par.
The former Spanish Amateur champion, who missed out at the First Stage of Q-School last month, made birdies at the 10th and 17th to turn in 34 before play was suspended.
He was a shot clear of the field with Alan Dunbar and card-chasing Ruaidhri McGee well back on three over, also through nine.
With just three events remaining after this week, it's a crucial tournament for McGee, who is 21st in the Road to Oman Rankings with the top 15 earning automatic promotion to the main tour.
Web.com Tour — Seamus Power's hopes of winning his PGA Tour card this year look over after he opened with a two over par 72 in the season-ending Web.com Tour Championship at Dye's Valle at TPC Sawgrass .
After finishing 67th in the regular season money list with $81,979, the Playoffs have not gone his way as he's finished T44, T72 and T47 in the first three events.
Power is nine shots behind leader Rhein Gibson and projected to fall to from 57th to 70th in the standings.
Brian Keogh