John Kelly, Mick Collins and David Higgins look certain to progress to the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.
Mick CollinsThe Irish trio completed their weather delayed third rounds at the Oxfordshire on Friday morning with Kelly the best place after a 69 left him alone in fifth place on nine under par.
Collins posted a two under par 70 to share sixth on eight under with Waterville man Higgins sharing 18th on four under after a 73.
Walker Cup player Niall Kearney is one of 37 Irishmen who have entered the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School later this month.
The 21-year old Royal Dublin amateur will tee it up in a 115-man field at Fleesensee Golf and Country Club near Berlin from September 22-25 alongside Justin Brink and fellow South of Ireland champions Mark Campbell and Mervyn Owens.
Kearney is one of six Irish amateurs amongst the 749 hopefuls who will begin their bids of European Tour cards at stage one. The others are Ulstermen Byron Campbell and Ruairi McGee, Newlands’ Irish international Cian Curley, Royal Dublin’s Neil O Briain and Portmarnock’s James Fox.
Portstewart’s Paul Cutler, who was disappointed not to make the Walker Cup side this year, has not entered.
Amateur stars Shane Lowry, Paul O'Hanlon and Jonathan Caldwell have entered the first stage of this month's European Tour Qualifying School.
The trio form part of a 34 strong Irish army bidding to make it all the way to the third and Final Stage at PGA Golf de Catalunya in Spain from November 13-18.