American dream fading for Devlin and Conroy in Q-School quests

Enniscorthy's Paul Conroy

The American dream faded for Ballymena’s Chris Devlin and Wexford’s Paul Conroy in the US last night.

Devlin (49) is bidding to win one of just five cards a the PGA TOUR Champions Qualifying Tournament in Arizona.

But after opening with a two-under 69 at TPC Scottsdale to lie just two shots outside the top five, he carded a one-over 72 last night to slip to tied 39th on one-under.

Devlin is now six shots outside the top five with two rounds to go and 12 strokes behind Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen, who added a 65 to his opening 64 to lead by two shots from Dicky Pride and Freddie Jacobson on 13-under,

Australian Scott Barr is alone in fourth on eight-under while Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher shot 64 to move to join fifth with American Mario Tiziani on seven-under,

Meanwhile, Conroy’s hopes of making it to the Final Stage of the PGA TOUR School in Florida next week faded in Alabama.

The Enniscorthy man shot a seven-over 79 in his Second Stage Qualifier at Robert Trent Jones Trail at Highland Oaks to fall to 76th in the 78 man field on 10-over.

He’s 14 shots outside the top 17 will progress to TPC Sawgrass next week.

It was also a tough day for the Irish in today’s third round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School (Section D) at Pattana Sports Resort in Thailand.

Whitehead’s John Ross Galbraith made five bogeys before finishing with a birdie as he carded a four over 74.

He’s tied for 22nd on one-over, just one shot outside the top 18 who will progress to the Final Stage after four rounds.

But Kinsale’s John Murphy shot a two-over 72 to share 45th on seven-over.

Irish interest turns to the Final Stage of the LPGA Q-Series in Alabama later today where Douglas’ Sara Byrne and Castlewarden’s Lauren Walsh begin their quests to finish in the top 25 and ties after five rounds who will be awarded cards.