Irish pacesetters at Wychwood Park

The Irish are setting the pace at the halfway stage of the European Tour Qualifying School – First Stage Section B at Wychwood Park with former Challenge Tour champion Colm Moriarty one clear of Ruaidhri McGee.

After 43 players progressed through to the Second Stage during last week’s start to the qualifying campaign, another 194 players are competing at two venues, Wychwood Park and Germany’s Golf and Country Club Fleesensee, a European Tour Destination, looking to follow suit.

McGee led by three overnight at Wychwood Park but was reeled in after following his opening 66 with a two over par 74 with Moriarty, winner of the 2007 FIRSTPLUS Wales Challenge, taking full advantage with a 67 to edge one clear at five under par 139.

The goal for is to finish in the top 22 and ties at Wychwood Park to progress through to the Second Qualifying Stage in November

At Golf and Country Club Fleesensee American John Hahn, who turned professional in 2011 and competed in this year’s US Open at Merion, hit the front after a second round seven under par 65 took him to 12 under par 132 and one clear of German amateur Sebastian Schwind.

An eagle three on the par five 12th was the highlight of a flawless round that also included five birdies for the 24 year old from Hudson, Ohio – one of nine Americans in the field and 21 across the two Section B venues.

The top 24 players and ties at the end of the four rounds from the starting field of 101 at G&CC Fleesensee will progress through to the Second Qualifying Stage in Spain in November.

It is anticipated that approximately 50 players will proceed from the two venues at this week’s First Stage (Section B) to Second Stage, approximately 26% of the total field.