Ireland's Philip Walton produced an inspired 65 at the European Tour Qualifying School Finals in Spain today and took a massive leap up the leaderboard to avoid missing the four round cut.
The 1995 Ryder Cup hero started the day in a lowly 119th and in danger of not making it into the top 75 who qualify for the final two rounds of an enduring six round week.
The 39-year-old climbed into a tie for 56th and made the cut, set at one-over par 289, with two shots to spare:
"Just what the doctor ordered - I had to shoot low," said Walton, who lost his tour card two years ago and is making his third attempt to get back on the circuit.
"It would be nice to have a couple more rounds like that and get a good card. There's a lot of good golf left in me," confirmed Walton.
He birdied four of the first six holes at Sotogrande, made a 25-footer on the ninth to turn in 31, then added further birdies at the 13th and 14th.
By the close of play on Monday, only the top 35 players and ties will gain their card for next season.
Waterville professional David Higgins left himself with an agonising wait to see if he would make the cut after today’s disappointing 75. However, the winner of three Challenge Tour events sneaked in on the cut mark (289) and now has two more rounds left to break into the top 35.
South Africa’s Ian Hutchings and Welshman David Park lead the way on 14-under par 274 after both players carded 65’s over the tougher San Roque course.
There was bitter disappointment for Paddy Gribben, the Warrenpoint man missed the cut by two shots after today’s level par 72.
Gary Murphy was always struggling to keep the pace this week and today was no different. The Kilkennyman carded his third 74 of the week for a six-over par aggregate 294 to miss the cut by five shots.
Additional reporting by PA