The first cuts of 2004 European Tour Qualifying School came into effect at the five Stage One Venues, as the battle for an estimated 148 places at Stage Two draws to a close.
With just 18 holes to go at each of the five courses, 87 players came through the first test at both the Golf-Und Land-Club Köln in Germany and Moliets Golf Club in France. Italy’s Marco Bernardini continues to lead the way after his third round 69 kept him two clear of his fellow countryman, the Amateur Francesco Molinari, with Swedish Amateur Rikard Karlberg a further shot back.
At Moliets, Manuel Merizalde of Columbia holds a two shot lead from the Frenchman Charles Dubois after a third round 67 gave him an 11 under par 205 total, while Dubois carded a 70 for 207.
In England, the Irish duo of David Mortimer and Lesley Walker posted a pair of 67s for eight under par 208 aggregates to lead by three strokes from the Englishman Oliver Whiteley at the St Annes Old Links, where 88 players made the ten over par cut.
Eighty-six players survived at Carden Park Golf Club, where Scotland’s Graham Rankin and Englishman Michael Welch carded respective rounds of 70 and 71 to post five under par totals of 211 and lead a four strong chasing pack by two shots.
England’s Simon Cooke extended his lead to three shots over at Chart Hills Golf Club with a third round 70 to post a three round total of 206. He leads from English Amateur Sam Osborne and his compatriot Roger Winchester, while 86 players made the third round cut of eight over.
