November 17, 2016: Edoardo Molinari took a firm grip on a European Tour card with a stunning five under par fifth round of 67 at the Final Stage of the Qualifying School to take a three-shot lead in Girona. Rahil Gangjee is playing his heart out as he chases a card on the European Tour. He shot 70 on Wednesday to fire himself inside the top 25, in position for a card if he can protect or improve the placing on the leaderboard.
Rahil Gangjee shot four birdies and two bogeys in a resilient effort on the fifth day of qualifying.
The Italian, Molinari, twice a European Tour winner, heads the leaderboard at PGA Catalunya Resort – a European Tour Destination – on 14 under par, with just 18 holes to go before the top 25 and ties will seal their places on the 2017 Race to Dubai.
Molinari made a successful visit to Q-School 12 months ago, though had an anxious wait before he knew he had finished in a tie for 23rd, but the 35 year old goes into the final round with victory in his sights this time round.
“It was very good today,” he said. “I got off to a very good start and made a lot of putts on the front nine, then on the back nine I was hitting the ball the best I have done in ten years but I just couldn’t make many putts. All in all it was a very good day.
“A three-shot lead is a very good one to have going into the final round, and it would be very nice to end the week on a high.
“I am definitely playing a lot better than I was last year. It was a minor miracle that I even made the cut last season, then it was another minor miracle when I got my card, so I believe I am playing a lot better and I have a lot more confidence in my game.
“I have been playing a lot better since August but I just couldn’t put four good rounds together. It looks like this week I am starting to do that, as my putting is better and my all-round game has been much better than it has been compared to over the last few years.
“It gives me so much confidence looking ahead to next year. Especially after playing like I did during the third round when it was very windy, very difficult to score and easy to blow up. The way you play during days like that gives you more confidence than when you play well in calm conditions like today, and I am hoping that I can now start to play like I was in 2009 and 2010 – or even better.”
Overnight leader Nathan Kimsey is Molinari’s closest challenger, the Englishman scrapping for a 73, with compatriots Tom Lewis, Richard McEvoy, Matthew Nixon and Eddie Pepperell two shots further back in a tie for third place.
Their fellow countryman Mark Foster shot the round of the day, a six under par score of 66, and is one shot above 25th spot which currently sits on five under par, with ten players currently on the qualifying mark and 30 players set to graduate as things stand.
They include Stuart Manley, who will represent Wales in next week’s World Cup of Golf, and Pontus Widegren, who eagled the last hole on day four just to make the cut before taking full advantage in his fifth round.
Scores after round 5:
342 E Molinari (Ita) 66 68 72 69 67;
345 N Kimsey (Eng) 70 70 71 61 73;
347 R McEvoy (Eng) 63 69 71 72 72; T Lewis (Eng) 73 65 71 68 70; M Nixon (Eng) 67 73 71 68 68; E Pepperell (Eng) 69 69 69 71 69;
348 N Johansson (Swe) 70 67 70 69 72; J Rutherford (Eng) 72 72 70 66 68; M Orrin (Eng) 67 68 76 67 70;
349 R Coles (Eng) 64 68 71 72 74; S Henry (Sco) 64 75 70 72 68; P Maddy (Eng) 75 67 72 67 68; Y Yang (Kor) 72 70 67 69 71;
350 J Heath (Eng) 70 71 74 65 70; S Soderberg (Swe) 72 71 73 65 69; J Winther (Den) 68 68 68 71 75; A Karlsson (Swe) 71 69 71 68 71; J Fahrbring (Swe) 68 68 72 72 70; Z Lombard (RSA) 67 67 74 72 70; M Foster (Eng) 67 71 74 72 66; A Chesters (Eng) 68 66 73 73 70;
351 R Sciot-Siegrist (Fra) 67 72 73 71 68; R McGowan (Eng) 68 66 70 72 75; S Manley (Wal) 72 63 73 69 74; P Widegren (Swe) 72 71 74 66 68; R Gangjee (Ind) 68 69 73 71 70; S Tiley (Eng) 64 71 74 71 71; R Johnson (Swe) 72 67 72 71 69; J Parry (Eng) 71 67 69 75 69; K Horne (RSA) 68 72 69 72 70;
