Casey and Dunne qualify as Hume’s brave effort falls short

Naas player shot final round of 63 only to lose out in play-off

Headfort’s Brian Casey was the joint winner of the European Tour second stage qualifier at Panoramica in Castellon.  Photograph:  Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Headfort’s Brian Casey was the joint winner of the European Tour second stage qualifier at Panoramica in Castellon. Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Brian Casey continued his sensational form by carding a five-under-par round of 67 to finish as joint-winner at Panoramica and progress into the final qualifying stage of the European Tour School.

The Headfort player capped off a fine weekend in Castellon by striking four birdies and an eagle in his final round that saw his end the second qualifying phase joint-top of the standings.

His overall total of 24 under par left him level with Spain's Scott Fernandez to ensure he will feature at PGA Catalunya next week.

Jack Hume of Naas turned in a champagne performance in his final round but agonisingly missed out on the final stage of qualifying after suffering play-off heartache.

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Hume hit an eagle at the second hole before making seven birdies on his way to a remarkable nine-under-par round of 63 on the final day.

The result saw him finish in a six-way tie for 18th – but he agonisingly missed out in the play-offs following earlier rounds of 72, 70 and 72 – with Spain's Emilio Cuartero Blanco emerging victorious .

A final three-under-par round of 69 was not enough for Colm Campbell Jnr who is out after missing the top 18 by six strokes – with Jonathan Caldwell also exiting the qualifying stage after retiring following rounds of 68, 75 and 77.

Paul Dunne carded a stunning round of 67 at Tarragona's Lumine course to book his place in the final qualifying round via another six-way play off.

The 22-year-old hit a vital birdie at the 18th on his final round to finish tied 17th on 10 under par and earn himself a play off where he booked his place in the final phase by the skin of his teeth.

It was a much improved performance from the British Open star who recorded scores of 70, 66 and 71 in his opening three rounds.

There was no such luck for Gary Hurley whose final round of 71 saw him finish tied 29th.

The Waterford player hit three birdies but bogeys at the eighth, 10th and 12th holes ensured he missed out on the final stage by three shots.

A two-under-par final round of 69 was not enough for 2012 British Amateur champion Alan Dunbar who ended the second qualifying round in tied 38th.

Walker Cup star Gavin Moynihan is out after carding a final round of 75 that included a double and a triple bogey at Valencia's El Saler course.

The Island’s Moynihan faced a difficult task after a disastrous third round score of 80 – with his overall score of eight over par leaving him tied 51st.

Michael McGeady also crashed out with a disappointing final round of 80 that included six bogeys and a double bogey at the 10th, while Chris Selfridge retired after two rounds.

Rory McNamara saw his bid to land a Tour card come to an end after finishing tied 52nd on five over par at Las Colinas, Alicante.

The La Cala-based player carded rounds of 73, 70 and 73 in the south east of Spain before posting yet another total of 73 in his final round – leaving him 11 shots behind the qualifying mark.

Banbridge's Richard Kilpatrick is also out after retiring following rounds of 71, 72 and 80 on the Alicante course.

A total of seven Irish golfers will tee it up for the first of six gruelling rounds in Girona from next Saturday with Dunne and Casey joined by Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Simon Thornton, Kevin Phelan and Ruaidhrí McGee.