Murphy the sole survivor in Texas

Waterville’s Mark Murphy fired a final round 68 to cruise into next month’s second stage of the PGA Tour Q-School.

The former international finished tied for eighth in the first stage qualifier at Lantana Golf Club in Texas where exactly 23 players progressed on four under par.

The Kerryman finished 11 shots behind winner Casey Devoll on seven under par but there was bitter disappointment for West Waterford’s Seamus Power as he missed out by a stroke after a final round 73 left him on three under.

Muskerry’s Niall Turner made a brave bid to sneak into the qualifying places but his closing 66, which featured nine birdies and three bogeys, still left him four shots outside the mark on level par.

Ballyliffin’s Thomas Kearney and Dungannon’s Fergal Rafferty also failed to make it.

San Antonio based Kearney finished on six over after a 72 with Rafferty two shots furhter back after a closing 76.

Murphy joins Ballymena’s Chris Devlin in next month’s second stage.