Damien McGrane consolidated his position at the business end of proceedings on the fifth day of the final stage of Tour School in Emporda, southern Spain today.
The Wexford professional shot a steady one under 70 to maintain his position in the top 10 (tied ninth) after yesterday's impressive 65 had previously elevated the 32-year-old into a tie for sixth.
There wasn't the same fireworks in today's effort but a business-like round containing three birdies and two dropped shots leaves McGrane with a real chance of securing his playing rights for next season.
If McGrane finds himself in the top 35 and ties after tomorrow's sixth and final round, he will have secured his Tour card, just as he did at Tour School last year.
The situation is not so favourable for Philip Walton. The 1995 Ryder Cup hero was the only other Irishman to advance into the latter stages after shooting a gutsy 68 yesterday to qualify on the cut mark (280).
Walton fired a 68 today to get to nine under overall but still remains a long way off securing his card. Despite a run of three birdies from the fifth to reach the turn in three under and returning home in level, Walton still wallows in a tie for 62 ndplace.
The fact of the matter is, Walton is four shots adrift of the top 35 players and ties on 13 under, which suggests the Dubliner will need to shoot in the mid to low 60's tomorrow to have any chance of returning to the main tour next year.
England's Richard McEvoy currently leads the way on 24 under after today's 63. He is two shots ahead of France's Francois Delamontagne (69) and Scotland's Steven O'Hara (67).