Asian Tour Q-School: Painful finish for McNamara as Carey digs deep
Rory McNamara
Rory McNamara and David Carey need big finishes in Thailand to qualify for the decisive final stage of the Asian Tour’s Q-School from January 11 to 14.
The Irish pair are in action in the Qualifying School Section A at two Bangkok venues with McNamara’s poor finish to Friday’s third round leaving him battling to make the top 12 and ties at Windsor Park Golf Club.
- Section A - Suvarnabhumi Golf & Country Club, Bangkok
- Section A - Windsor Park Golf Club, Bangkok
Through 54 holes, the former North and West of Ireland champion is solo 13th on two under par, a shot outside the qualifying places.
The 27-year old Headfort man made five birdies in his first 14 holes and was still cruising at five under par for the round with two holes to play when disaster struck.
The former international bogeyed the par four 17th and then ran up a double bogey six at the 18th to card a two under 70 and slip from 10th place to 13th.
Korea’s Sangpil Yoon shot a six-under 66 there for a one-shot advantage over Dino A. Giacomazzi of the United States.
Over at the Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club, Australia’s Jack Wilson and Fiji’s Sam Lee posted a 67 and 68 respectively to share the lead on 14 under 202.
Players from Suvarnabhumi must finish inside the top-22 and ties on Saturday to qualify for the Final Stage and Carey, 20, has his work cut out despite moving up 11 spots to tied 27th after a three under 69.
At three under par, the former Boys international is two shots outside the top 22 and ties and will almost certainly need a round in the 60s to ensure his place in next week’s Final Stage.
Dubliner Niall Kearney and Limerick man Tim Rice will try to make it to the final stage for their Section B qualifier from January 4-7.
Muskerry’s Niall Turner, who contrary to rumours has not retired, has medical exemption for the Asian Tour for 2017 having taken a sabbatical in 2016 to take care of a series of niggling injuries
