Sport

Thornton up with the pace

TOUR SCHOOL : Simon Thornton is the best of the Irish in the race towards the final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School…

Fri Nov 07 2008 - 00:00

TOUR SCHOOL: Simon Thornton is the best of the Irish in the race towards the final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School after shooting a second-round 70 yesterday for a halfway total of 137 at Arcos Gardens in the Second Qualifying.

Thornton is just two shots off the pace set by Spain's Santiago Luna, the 1995 Madeira Islands Open winner, who added a 69 to his opening 66 to move to nine-under-par 135 and two clear of Germany's Dennis Kupper and Thornton. The top 20 will move on to the final stage.

Mark Campbell shot 71 for 143, Barrie Trainor 73 for 144 and Mark Murphy 78 for 151.

Jordi Garcia Pinto maintained his lead at Costa Bellena Clube de Golf, adding 72 to his opening 62 to stay at 10-under-par 134, one ahead of Italy's Michele Reale and American Nathan Reale with the top 19 moving to the final stage.

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Gareth Shaw is tied for 15th place on 139 after a 69 while John Kelly and Alan Murray are on 142 and Justin Kehoe well off the pace at 152 after a 77.

At Sherry Golf, Jerez, Frenchman Julien Guerrier moved into pole position with a 66 which took him to 10-under-par 134 and two ahead of Swede Steven Jeppesen. A total of 19 players will qualify for the final stage, with David Higgins 14th on 142 after a 69.

Amateur Shane Lowry shot 70 for 145, Colm Moriarty 70 for 146, Eddie Barr 75 for 147 and Noel Fox 71 for 150.

Play at Montenmedio Golf and Country Club in Cadiz was delayed for over an hour because of fog, but by the end of the day England's Guy Woodman was out in front after a round of 68 took him to 135, nine under par, one ahead of Spain's Manuel Quiros, who also shot a 68, and two clear of Norwegian amateur Anders Kristiansen who shot 70.

Peter O'Keeffe is six back after a 71 for 141, Richard Kilpatrick on 142 after a 71. Walker Cup player Jonathan Caldwell is on 145 with Mark Staunton on 154 and Danny Sugrue on 161.

PGA TOUR: American Troy Matteson eagled the first and 14th holes on his way to an opening nine-under-par 63 to claim a one-shot lead in the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney's Magnolia and Palm Courses in Florida yesterday.

Matteson leads from Kevin Streelman and Scott Verplank, who were both eight under par for the final 12 holes and Jimmy Walker. Rich Beem, who needs a big week to earn his Tour card for 2009, is in a group on 65.