The two Jeans: Frenchmen flying the Q School flag

Two Frenchmen, Jean-Pierre Verselin and Jean-Baptiste Gonnet, led the way at their respective venues after the first day of play at the Second Stage of The European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

However, it was achieved in remarkably dissimilar fashion. Gonnet placed himself in a controlling position after day one at Panoramica Golf and Sport Resort with a swashbuckling eight under par round of 64.

It was a different story for Verselin, who got his Second Qualifying Stage campaign underway with a three under par round of 69 to head the event at Campo de Golf El Saler amidst tough scoring conditions.

Only eight players managed to break par around the demanding Spanish course, while 51 achieved the feat at Panoramica.

Meanwhile in the corresponding venues, flying Finn Jaakko Makitalo made a fine start as he leads after round one at Las Colinas Golf and Country Club, with a magnificent seven under par 64 around the par 71 course.

In the other venue at Lumine Golf & Beach Club, Nico Geyger posted an impressive opening round of 66 to share the lead on five under par with German Julian Kunzenbacher, putting both in promising positions for progression to the next stage as they head into the weekend.

The number of qualifying spots available to the Final Stage will be announced once the Challenge Tour Grand Final has concluded and the Challenge Tour rankings are finalised for the season.

The Final Stage – which returns to European Tour Destination, PGA Catalunya Resort - will ultimately allocate the 25 European Tour cards that are on offer for Qualifying School hopefuls.