21/11/2009

The Qualifying School Second Stage has reached the halfway point at four venues across Spain as the dream of a European Tour card edges ever closer. A total of 304 players are competing over four venues in Spain - Hacienda Del Alamo, Costa Bellana Club de Golf, Arcos Gardens and Sherry Golf Jerez - with 74 spots up for grabs to secure a place in next week's Final Qualifying Stage. American Ryan Blaum produced the joint lowest score of the day at Hacienda Del Alamo to take the lead at 11 under par. His seven under par 65 was matched only by Dane Thorbjorn Olsen, who moved into a share of second place at seven under alongside overnight leader Stephan Gross Jr.  The leading 19 players after the four rounds of the Second Stage at Hacienda Del Alamo will progress through to the Final Stage, which takes place over six rounds at PGA Golf de Catalunya from November 28 - December 3.

A second successive 68 gave Spain's Eduardo de la Riva the lead at Sherry Golf Jerez ahead of England's Phillip Archer, back at the Qualifying School having lost his European Tour card after five years on the European Tour during which time he broke into the top 30. The top 18 players from the field of 75 at Sherry Golf Jerez will qualify for the Final Stage. Frenchman Edouard Dubois and England's James Ruth have matched each other shot for shot over the first two days at Costa Bellana Ocean Golf Club, both shooting 66, 67 to share the lead at the halfway stage.

They lead the Spanish pair of José Maria Arruti and Alvaro Velasco by one after 36 holes with the leading 18 players on Monday from the field of 76 progressing to the Final Stage. At Arcos Gardens, South African Michiel Bothma moved to the head of the leaderboard after a second round 65 with Santiago Luna of Spain second. There are 19 spots available at Arcos Gardens from the field of 77.

Source: www.europeantour.com