Poor round for Higgins
Irishman David Higgins shot a poor 76 in today's fifth round of the European Tour qualifying school final at San Roque to leave him a lot to do in tomorrow's final day to creep into the top 30. Higgins stands at joint 71st.
Brazilian Alexandre Rocha stayed on course to provide himself with an early birthday present after posting a three-under-par 69 for a 14-under aggregate of 326 and a two-shot lead over Spain’s Carlos Rodiles with one round to play.
A three-time winner in his native South America, Rocha made a rousing start with birdies at his first three holes and, after struggling round the turn, finished in style with birdies at the 16th and 18th.
“It was a good beginning and a good end but indifferent in between,” admitted Rocha, whose best finish in 2006 was sixth in the Russian Open.
“This is the fifth day of the event but the ninth day I’ve been here and I found it hard to keep the focus for the full round.
“I had a great start but I don’t think that helped because I relaxed and I did some stupid things.
“It would be a great honour to win this event. The aim at the start was just to make the top 30 and gain a card but now it is a goal and if I should win it then I will cherish it for a long time.”
Rodiles, runner-up in the 2003 Volvo Masters, posted a 70 to lie 12-under with four-time US Tour winner Notah Begay in third on 10 under after a 71.
Scotland’s David Drysdale, who has missed out on retaining his tour place by a single spot on the Order of Merit for the past two seasons, is a shot further back in in fourth.
Essex amateur Oliver Fisher, 18, stayed on course to become the third youngest player to qualify for the tour after finishing day five in a tie for eighth.
Andrew Oldcorn, who won the Volvo PGA championship just five years ago, recovered from a triple-bogey eight at his second hole to post a 72 but languishes five shots outside a top-30 place needed to qualify on three over.
With poor weather forecast for the final day’s play, tournament organisers have decided to start play earlier off two tees.
If bad weather prevents any play, the qualifying places will be decided on scores after five rounds.
