Richie Coughlan's bid to earn his playing rights on the lucrative US Tour next season got off to a disappointing start today after he carded a first round 73.
With only the top 30 and ties gaining their cards, Coughlan has his work cut out over the next five rounds if he is to contend come Monday evening in Florida.
Coughlan, who has based himself in upstate New York for the past three years, bogeyed two of his first four holes at the Crooked Cat course. He appeared to stop the rot with birdies at the fifth and eighth but a double bogey on the ninth left him facing an uphill battle.
Coughlan's topsy turvy round continued after the turn with dropped shots at the tenth and 14 th. But the Birr native showed his mettle with three birdies down the stretch to leave himself in contention on a share of 85 thspot.
The 29-year-old has previously played on the main tour in the states in 1998 and 2000 but failed to hold on to his card on both occasions. He has also competed on the buy.com Tour (now known as the Nationwide Tour).
Another European, Sweden's Mathias Gronberg, leads the way after a five-under par 67.