Challenge Tour, European TourBrian KeoghSeptember 25, 2015European Tour Qualifying School, Paul Dunne, Jack Hume, Eamonn Brady, Reeve Whitson, Ricky Weldon, Peter McG, JD Guiney, Ciaran Boggan, Gary HurleyComment

Hume and Dunne cruise into Second Stage of Q-School; Hurley officially signs with Hambric

Jack Hume. Picture: Pat Cashman — Jack Hume. Picture: Pat Cashman

And then there were nine. In this case, nine through to November's Second Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

On Friday, Naas amateur Jack Hume and Greystones' professional Paul Dunne joined the other seven successful Irish entrants from Section A, when they came through their Section B qualifier at Golfclub Schloss Ebreichsdorf in Austria.

Hume shot his fourth successive sub-par round, a three under 69, to finish fourth on 11 under par, five shots behind event winner Dodge Kemmer of the US.

And while Dunne complained of "atrocious" putting, he finished only a shot further back in joint fifth on 10 under after a 70 at a venue where 23 players qualified on three under or better. Austrian scores

Well despite some atrocious putting in happy to get through Q school stage one. On to the next one! #jobdone
— Paul Dunne (@dunners11) September 25, 2015

There were no Irish qualifiers at Collingtree Park in England, where Clontarf's Eamonn Brady and Royal County Down's Reeve Whitson were the biggest Irish names taking part.

Brady (69) finished on three over with Peter McGibney (75) seven over, Whitson (77) eight over and Richard Weldon (75) back on nine over. Collingtree Park scores

Hurley officially signs for Hambric - heading for Affred Dunhill Links

It was not unexpected but it took until Friday for Dunne and Hume's Walker Cup team mate Gary Hurley to sign his first professional contract with the European arm of agents Hambric Sports Group.

The West Waterford man begins with sponsorship from his alma mater Maynooth University, where he became the first graduate of the Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship to win Walker Cup honours.

We are pleased to announce the signing of Walker Cup star @GaryHurley93. Gary makes his debut @dunhilllinks http://t.co/1uqZIxeNcv
— HSG Europe (@Hambric_Europe) September 25, 2015

Hurley will make his first European Tour start as a professional alongside Dunne having received an invitation for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship next week before heading to Mount Wolseley for the Challenge Tour event.

After that there are high hopes he can land an invitation for the Portugal Masters before he heads to the Second Stage of the Q-School.