Kelly heads Irish for PQ2

John Kelly will lead the Irish challenge at Stage Two of the European Tour Qualifying School from November 20-23.

The St Margarets professional will go to Costa Ballena in good form after coming through a four-way play-off to secure third place in the Srixon PGA Play-Offs at Little Aston recently.

Irish Region Order of Merit winner David Higgins, who is already guaranteed starts in the 3 Irish Open and the BMW PGA at Wentworth next season, will be at Sherry Golf alongside Australia based Eddie Barr and Challenge Tour players Michael McGeady, Colm Moriarty and Simon Thornton.

Michael Collins, Cian McNamara and Gareth Shaw will tee it up at Arcos Gardens with Kelly joined at Costa Ballena in Jerez by Florida based Ulsterman Chris Devlin and Walker Cup amateur Niall Kearney.

Mervyn Owens and Clandeboye’s Jonny Caldwell are entered at Haciendo del Alamo in Murcia.

Shaw and fellow Ulsterman Richard Kilpatrick will be in action alongside Ryder Cup skipper in the Egyptian Open in Cairo this week.

The $200,000 will event will be on the Challenge Tour schedule in 2010 and 2011.

Sherry Golf: Eddie BARR, David HIGGINS, Michael McGEADY, Colm MORIARTY, Simon THORNTON

Arcos Gardens: Michael COLLINS, Cian MCNAMARA, Gareth SHAW

Costa Ballena: Chris DEVLIN, Niall KEARNEY (AM), John KELLY

Haciendo del Alamo: Mervyn OWENS, Jonathan Caldwell