Niall Turner on course to progress at Tour school

Niall Turner remains well on course for qualification from the European Tour qualifying school first stage event at Hardelot in France after another solid showing on day two.

The Muskerry star started the second round with a share of the overall lead after his five-under-par 66 on day one. He backed that up with a three-under round of 68 on Wednesday, for a 36-hole total of eight under. That put him top of the leaderboard alongside South Africa’s Haydn Porteous, two clear of the field.

The Cork man recovered from a stuttering start with bogeys on holes two and four before charging back with five birdies.

It leaves him well placed to secure a second stage spot – with the top 22 and ties going through after Thursday’s final round.

Talented rookie Rory McNamara from Headfort faces an uphill struggle after carding a one-over par 72 yesterday, meaning he is three over going into the final round having shot 73 on day one.

He made a mess of the second hole, making double bogey – and, despite recording three birdies, stuttered towards the line, bogeying two of the last three holes.

Michael McGeady and Limerick's Tim Rice are bracketed together on 145 after indifferent second rounds. McGeady carded a two-over-par 73 and Rice a four-over 75.