Close call for John Gallagher

Swanston's John Gallagher breathed a sigh of relief in Austria last night as he scraped through stage one of the European Tour's qualifying school at the Ebreichsdorf club.

The former Scottish Amateur champion had been making good progress and was fifth heading into the final round but a nervy two-over 74 dropped him down the field with a two-under 286.

Gallagher held on grimly to the last of 15 qualifying spots up for grabs as he progressed to November's second stage with nothing to spare.

On Gallagher's current circuit, the EuroPro Tour, Lloyd Saltman came charging up the field to grab a share of second place in the Brooks Bros Classic at Five Lakes in Essex.

The former Open Silver Medal winner shot a best-of-the-day six-under 66 for a 12-under 204.