Naas professional Jonathan Yates made a fast start in his bid to win one of three Challenge Tour cards awarded to the top-three on the Alps Tour money list following this week’s season-ending Italy Alps Open in Rome.

The former West of Ireland champion started on the back nine at Golf Nazionale and made an eagle two at the 13th before picking up birdie fours at the 14th and 18th to turn in four-under 32.

He could managed just one more birdie, at the par-four sixth and signed for a bogey-free 67 that left him lying third on five-under par.

Scores

Italy’s Filippo Bergamaschi, who already holds a category on the Challenge Tour, shot a seven-under 65 to lead by a shot from another Challenge Tour player in France’s Jeong Weon Ko while Northern Ireland’s Peter Dallat was tied 75th after a 78.

With the top three in the Order of Merit winning Challenge Tour status after Friday’s third round, the top 18 in the current money list are all in with a chance of making the jump.

Spain’s Jordi Garcia Del Moral (73 in round one) leads the money list from compatriot Lucas Vacarisas (73) and Italian Stefano Mazzoli (74).

Yates is ranked 11th with three top-10 finishes from eight starts and knows a big finish this week could be worth its weight in gold.