Digest/Tour school: There was a mixed bag from Irish hopefuls David Higgins and Philip Walton as the European Tour Qualifying School finals continued to produce its share of heart-warming comeback stories at San Roque, writes Brian Keogh.
While Higgins did his chances of retaining his card no harm by moving up to joint 21st thanks to a two-under-par 70, Walton's hopes dwindled with a 73 that leaves him tied for 93rd place on five-over-par and 15 shots behind leader Carlos Rodiles of Spain.
The top 30 and ties after six rounds will earn their playing privileges for 2007, and Marbella native Rodiles looks certain to take on of those berths after an outward half of 28 helped him card a sparkling eight-under-par 64 on the New Course.
As benign weather conditions frustrated the 78 players who had completed their second rounds in high winds on Saturday, Rodiles took full advantage to move two shots clear of Norway's Eirik Tage Johansen and Warren Bennett on 10 under par.
Higgins felt he should have taken even more advantage of the windless conditions, but still declared himself happy with a round that featured an eagle, three birdies and three bogeys.
"Today was a day when I should have got to four or five under," Higgins said. "I didn't quite do it, but I did okay."
Walton birdied two of the par fives but dropped three shots to par and missed a 12-inch putt in a 73 that leaves him with work to do to make the 72-hole cut for the top 70 and ties.
SENIORS: A "stone cold duff" put an end to Des Smyth's hopes of finishing the season with a win in the Arcapita Seniors Tour Championship at Riffa Views in Bahrain, where he eventually finished seventh behind England's Gordon J Brand.
One stroke off the lead playing the ninth, the Irishman had 104 yards to the pin but knocked his lobwedge approach into the rocks at the edge of a lake 40 yards ahead, from where he made a double bogey six.
"That cost me hugely," admitted Smyth, who closed in one over par 73 for a three-round aggregate of two-under-par 214.
"I just stone cold duffed it. It was lying perfect and I had the exact same yardage as the previous two days. To be honest, though, I played rubbish all day.
"I am now finished for the year and I will spend some time in the gym and try to work things out. I know I need to step up if I am to keep competing here and in the States."
Brand fired a final round of six-under 66 to force a play-off with joint overnight leader Adan Sowa of Argentina, who closed with a 71, at five under par 211, and then clinched the title at the third play-off hole.
JAPAN TOUR: Veteran Tommy Nakajima outstripped his younger counterparts to win the Taiheiyo Masters in Japan at the age of 52.
Nakajima, ranked 581 in the world and probably most famous for taking five shots to escape the famous Road Bunker at the 17th in the 1978 British Open at St Andrews, carded a seven-under-par final round of 65 to reach 12-under 275 and beat compatriot Toru Taniguchi by one shot.
Sergio Garcia's slump continued as he had a disastrous five-over-par 77 for 284 which saw him turn in 42 after two double bogeys and two bogeys.
Ryder Cup team-mate Darren Clarke fared little better, with a three-over-par 75 dropping him to four-over 292.
LET TOUR: Ireland's Curtis Cup stars Claire Coughlan (Cork) and Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) saved their best 'til last with three-under-par 69s to finish 11th and joint 14th at the Ladies European Tour Pre-qualifying School at Golf Club Le Fonti in Italy. The top 43, from 95 starters, safely made it through to the Final Qualifying School at La Cala Resort, Malaga, on November 22nd-26th .
