Carey fires sensational 61 to take five-shot lead at Q-School

David Carey. Picture: Tristan Jones Photo/Alps Tour

David Carey continued his incredible run of form in Italy by firing an 11-under 61 to roar into a five-stroke lead at halfway in the First Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Just a month after shooting an incredible 11-under 57 en route to victory on the Alps Tour, the Dubliner (23) made an eagle and nine birdies in a bogey-free, 11-under effort at Bogogno Golf Resort to lead on 17-under par.

“It’s exactly the start I wanted,” said Carey (23) who would love to play in the Stone Irish Challenge at Headfort next week but has not so far been extended an invitation.

“I played good, drove it very well and made a few putts. Italy has been treating me quite nicely recently.”

The top 19 and ties will progress to the Second Stage in Spain next month and Naas' Conor O'Rourke is also on track after a 63 left him tied fifth on 10-under.

At Frilford Heath in the UK, Whitehead's John-Ross Galbraith (67-72) is tied for sixth on five-under, just three shots off the lead with Niall Kearney (69-71) tied 10th and Paul McBride (72-67) joint 17th.

But it looks like an uphill task now for Derry's Ruaidhri McGee and Birr’s Stephen Grant at the First Stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament in Florida.

McGee’s second round 74 left him six shots outside the top 23 to qualify at halfway at Grasslands,

In West Palm Beach, Stephen Grant shot a level par 72 but lies joint 40th at halfway, five shots outside the top 21 who qualify

European Tour Qualifying School, First Stage Europe Section D

At Bogogno Golf Resort, Italy (Par 72): 1, -17 D Carey (Irl) 66 61; 2, -12 J Hicks (USA) 66 66, J Jones (Can) 66 66; T5, -10 C O'Rourke (Irl) 71 63; T41, -2 J Yates (Irl) 70 72; T68, +2 D Loftus (Irl) 71 75.

At Frilford Heath, England (Par 72): 1, -8 J Kennegard (Swe) 68 68, W Harrold (Swe) 68 68. Irish: T6, -5 JR Galbraith 67 72; T10 -4 N Kearney 69 71; T17 -3 P McBride 72 69; T33 -1 D McElroy 71 72; T70 J Hickey +4 72 76.

PGA Tour

Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament, Florida

At Grasslands G&CC, Lakeland (Par 72), 23 spots, clubhouse scores: 1, F Wedel 65 68, C Arendell 68 65, M Blakefield 65 68; T57 R McGee (Irl) 71 74.

At The Breakers Rees Jones, West Palm Beach (Par 72), 21 spots: T1, -9 D Tropsy 70 65, S Dale 71 64; T40, +4 S Grant (Irl) 76 72.