Cork’s John Hickey opened with a one-under 71 to lead the Irish challenge in the DP World Tour Qualifying School First Stage qualifier at Mottram Hall in Cheshire

Hickey (30) raced to the turn in four-under 32 but slipped back to level par before a closing birdie four left him tied 22nd, five shots behind England’s Will Enefer and Scotland’s Greg Dalziel but just one stroke outside the qualifying places.

Scores

Tullamore’s Stuart Grehan (29) shot a level par 72 to share 29th with Limerick’s Tim Rice (44) 36th after a 73.

Whitehead’s John-Ross Galbraith (28) is joint 48th, four shots outside the mark, after he overcame and outward nine of 40 to salvage a two-over 74.

Mornington’s Daniel Mulligan (17) shot 75 to share 60th while Esker Hills amateur Stephen Cunningham (31) and Open Championship qualifier Ronan Mullarney (27) from Galway were 71st after 76s with K Club professional Liam Grehan (27) tied 87th after a 78.