Scott Henry is on course for a return to the European Tour heading into the sixth and closing round of the qualifying school final at PGA Catalunya in north east Spain.
While the former Ryder Cup player, Edoardo Molinari, surged into a three stroke lead with a five-under 67 for a 14-under 342, Henry hauled himself into a share of 10th place with a four-under 68 for a 349.
With the leading 25 and ties after today’s final round securing a place on the 2017 Race to Dubai, the 29-year-old from Clydebank is well placed to regain the full tour card he lost at the end of the 2013 campaign.
There’s not much room for error, though, on a typically tight leaderboard. Henry’s compatriot, David Law, still has plenty to play for heading into what will be a tense final day after a one-under 71 for a 353 left the young Aberdonian in a tie for 31st, just a shot outside the current qualifying mark.
Motherwell’s Ross Kellett also posted a 71 but he will need to mount a closing round charge after finishing on an aggregate of 354. Bradley Neil, who was making good progress after two rounds, continued his slide down the order and a 78 left him at the foot of the standings. Having made the 72-hole cut, though, the 20-year-old is at least guaranteed a full Challenge Tour card for next season.
At the head of the field, Molinari set himself up for a swift return to the main tour with a round that was illuminated by five birdies and an eagle.
English players make up the next seven places on the leaderboard while Korea’s Y E Yang, who beat Tiger Woods to the US PGA Championship in 2009, is sitting alongside Henry in a share of 10th.
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