Lester joined by Griffin and McClean in last 32 at Spanish Amateur
Hermitage’s Rowan Lester. Picture: Ernest Blignault
Hermitage's Rowan Lester led a trio of Irish qualifiers into the matchplay stages of the Spanish Amateur Championship for the Copa del Rey in Seville.
The former North of Ireland champion followed a 70 with a level par 72 at Real Club de Golf Sevilla to tie for eighth on two-under par, just three strokes behind leading qualifier Jose Luis Ballester of Spain.
He was joined in the last 32 by Waterford's Eanna Griffin (72) and Malone's Matthew McClean (73), who both squeaked in on the one-over-par qualifying mark as Holywood's Tom McKibbin was edged out for the final place after a countback after a 76.
The Newtownabbey star was tied for second after an opening 69 but he was six-over through 12 holes on day two and while he birdied the 13th and 18th, he lost out to Switzerland’s Robert Foley for the 32nd spot by virtue of his second round score (76 to 74).
Warrenpoint’s Colm Campbell was also disappointed as he finished with back to back bogeys to miss the cut by a stroke on 146 after a second successive 73.
Castle’s Robert Moran and Royal Dublin’s Hugh Foley shot 79s to finish 90th on 10-over 154.
In the first round, Lester faces the Netherland’s Nordin Van Tilburg, McClean takes on Portugal’s Pedro Lencart while Griffin will square up against Italy’s Andrea Romano.
Irish golfers have captured the title four times with Reeve Whitson following in the footsteps of Philip Walton, Michael Quirke and Darren Clarke in 2013.
Other past winners include European Tour stars Romain Langasque (2017), Danny Willet (2008), John Parry (2007), Joost Luiten (2005), Gonzalo Fernandez Castaño (2003), Richard Finch (2000), Sergio García (1999), Maarten Lafeber (1997) and José Manuel Lara (1996).
Spanish Amateur Championship for the Copa del Rey, RGC Sevilla (Par 72)
