Tour School:The don't call it "The Wailing Wall" for nothing but the giant leaderboard made pleasant reading for stablemates Colm Moriarty and Stephen Browne as they survived the 72-hole cut on the limit to continue their quest for a coveted European Tour card at The San Roque Club.
Paired together for today's fifth round, the Irish duo compiled their one-over par 289 aggregates in vastly differing manners as Browne racked up five birdies in the space of six holes at the New Course for a second successive 70 while Moriarty limped gratefully over the line on the Old Course after dropping three shots in his last four holes for a disappointing 75.
Ireland's Damian Mooney, Peter O'Keeffe and Michael McGeady; Ryder Cup players Andrew Coltart and Joakim Haeggman, former Irish Open winner Patrik Sjoland and ex US Amateur champion Richie Ramsay all packed their bags for home.
But Browne and Moriarty are relishing the chance to step out together today and close the three-shot gap on the top 30 and ties who will pocket their tour cards after tomorrow's sixth round.
"Momentum is on my side now," said Browne, who birdied the 16th, 18th, first, second and third in a golden spell midway through his round.
"But where it really turned was yesterday, not playing well on the front nine and being able to turn my score around and shoot 70.
"I have come from quite a long way behind in two days from 120th to 60th.
"I hate playing when there is nothing on the line. I love when you have to perform. This is what you play golf for. You want to be under pressure because it means you are playing well."
