Richard Coughlan made a steady, if unspectacular, start in the US Tour pre-qualifying II school at the Grenelefe Country Club in Florida. The 24-year-old Birr-attached touring professional shot a level par 72 in the first round which left him in tied-28th position, seven shots adrift of pacesetter Mike Grob.
Coughlan, who has just completed his rookie year as a professional, lost his card when finishing in 151st place on the US money-list this season. He needed a place in the top 125 to keep his card, and a place in the top 150 to go straight to next month's final qualifying school in La Quinta, California.
Although the exact number of places on offer in Grenelefe won't be determined until all four rounds are completed, it is estimated he will need to finish in the top-17 to earn a ticket to the final school lottery.
Se-Ri Pak has left hospital for the sanctuary of her parents' Seoul apartment, three days after South Korea's golf sensation collapsed from flu and exhaustion.
The 21-year-old, who returned to home just over a week ago to a heroine's welcome, was whisked away from waiting cameramen and reporters by her parents as she left Seoul's Samsung Medical Centre.
