O’Rourke off to a flier at Q-School in Frilford Heath

Conor O’Rourke fired a first round four under par 68 to grab a share of third after the opening round of Stage One Q School at Frilford Heath.

The Naas professional mixed six birdies with two drops shots in an extremely satisfying start in England.

O’Rourke was the only Irish player to break par with Dermot McElroy(+1), Colin Fairweather(+2), Brian McElhinney(+2), Niall Kearney(+3), Stuart Grehan(+4), Chris Selfridge(+4) and Kevin Le Blanc(+8) all needing much improved rounds to make the hallway cut.

Three weeks ago there were twenty Irish challengers battling to progress through European Tour Q School stage one. Of the twelve that have already rolled the dice, only three have progressed, with JR Galbraith, David Carey and Brendan McCarroll successfully advancing on to stage two later this month.