Donnelly tops as four Irish progress to Final Stage at Alps Tour Q-School

Just four Irish players made it through the First Stage of the Alps Tour Qualifying School in Italy.

Kilkenny's Luke Donnelly was the best of the bunch, making five birdies in a two-under 68 to top the qualifiers at Miglianico Golf & Country Club in Pescara.

He won by a shot on seven-under 133 from Belgium's Giovanni Tadiotto.

“Two very enjoyable days,” Donnelly said. “The golf course was very good. I loved it from the first day I played it on Tuesday. The course was set up brilliantly by the Alps team and the greens were fantastic. Even after all the rain today they held up lovely.”

Kerry's Michael Young made it on the mark as he finished with a birdie at the ninth to tie for 19th on four-over with a one-over 71.

Rhys Clarke missed out by two shots on six-over after a 74 as 23 qualified

At Acaya Golf Club in Lecce, Mallow's James Sugrue followed a wind-blown 80 with a three-under 68 to finish tied sixth on six-over, six shots behind Hermes Ferchaud of France.

Conor Coyne was tied eighth on seven-over after rounds of 76 and 73 as then cut fell at 11-over with 24 progressing.

Carton House's Darragh Flynn missed out by a shot after rounds of 80 and 74 with Cork's John Hickey 17-over after a 72 at a venue where Conor Purcell was a withdrawal.

The Netherlands' Floris De Haas shot rounds of 68 and 70 to lead qualifiers at Golf Club Le Fonti on four-under as 23 progressed to next week's final stage on eight-over.

The 54-hole Final Stage runs from November 10-12 near Rome with the exempt Robin Dawson, Marc Boucher, and Simon Bryan joining Donnelly, Young, Sugrue and Coyne in the 144-strong field.

They will play one round each at Golf Nazionale and Terre dei Consoli Golf Clubs with the leading 65 players and ties after 36 holes playing one further round at Golf Nazionale.

After 54 holes, the leading 35 players and ties will be ranked according to score. 

Players holding these positions will be eligible for membership in Category 6 of the Alps Tour for the 2022 season.

Players making the cut of the Final Qualifying Stage and finishing between the 36th and the 65th position will be eligible for membership in Category 8 of the Alps Tour for the 2022 season.

Players between the 66th and the 144th position will be eligible for membership in Category 9. 

Players in categories 8 and 9 will be subject to the 2022 re-rank policy adopted by the Alps Tour Committee.

See all Alps Tour Q-School regulations.