Garcia-Heredia top of the pile in Lisbon

Alfredo Garcia-Heredia moved top of the pile with a two under par 70 at Ribagolfe in the Qualifying School’s First Stage Section D event. The Spaniard’s fine finish, with two birdies in the last three holes, ensured he reached eight under par for the tournament in Lisbon.

Joining Garcia-Heredia at the top is Iceland’s Birgir Hafthorsson, who like Garcia-Heredia, birdied two of the last three holes to card a three under par 69 and share the lead at eight under.

The duo are one shot clear of four chasing players at seven under par, which means chances of progression look favourable as 22^ndplace, including ties, and better will advance from the 94 man field in Portugal.

In the other First Stage Section D event at Frilford Heath, there was similar joy for

Charlie Harrison, who leapfrogged Ryan Brown at the top of the leaderboard.

The American had his second flawless round in a row to shoot a three under par 69 around the Red Course at the Oxfordshire venue, moving to 13 under par to knock Brown off the top of the leaderboard.

Having carded only one solitary bogey all week, Harrison will be confident of advancing from the 97 man field at Frilford to the Second Qualifying Stage in Spain, which commences on November 7.

Despite relinquishing his lead to Harrison, Englishman Ryan Brown will feel similarly pleased with his solid level par third round which keeps him at 12 under par. Both men are safely clear of the 23^rdplace marker that signifies qualification to the next round.