Colm Moriarty. Picture by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieColm Moriarty saw his bid to secure the third place finish he required to qualify for the Challenge Tour’s Grand Final come up short after an agonising double bogey seven during final round of the penultimate event of the season, the Roma Golf Open.

The Glasson professional, who burst into contention with a brilliant third round 65 at the Olgiata Golf Club, holed his 96 yard approach on the first hole of the final round for an eagle two and led the tournament until the par five 15th where a double bogey seven brought a cruel end to his hopes of winning the title and keeping his Challenge Tour season alive.

Colm Moriarty found form in the nick of time in Rome. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieColm Moriarty blasted his best round for more than 15 months to set up a European Tour card-winning lifeline at the Roma Golf Open.

Simon Thornton is well aware that things are tight on the Challenge Tour. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie Simon Thornton confessed that his tour card ambitions are being tempered by fear in the Roma Golf Open.