Scott Henry jumps into card spot as Edoardo Molinari leads

Scott Henry has moved into a card-winning position with one round to go at the European Tour Q-school. Picture: Greg Macvean

Henry, who is bidding to regain his place on the main circuit after a three-year absence, jumped  22 spots to joint 10th after a four-under-par 68 at PGA Catalunya. Helped by six birdies, he is sitting on seven-under, two shots inside the projected cut-off in the battle to finish among the top 25 and ties.

Also in with a chance of joining the Clydebank man in achieving that target are David Law and Ross Kellett after they both stayed in card contention with one final circuit to go. Having signed for a 71 to sit joint 31st on four-under, Aberdonian Law is just one shot off a European Tour membership badge, while Kellett is two shots further back but still in the mix after the Motherwell man carded the same score.

While Bradley Neil appears to have run out of steam – the 2013 Amateur champion from Blairgowrie was last of the 72 players to survive the four-round cut following a 78 but at least has the consolation of having secured full playing rights for next season’s Challenge Tour – Molinari looks as though he’s timed his run to perfection on his second consecutive visit to the Qualifying School.

The Italian, who won both the Scottish Open and Johnnie Walker Championship in 2010 to secure one of Colin Montgomerie’s wild cards for the Ryder Cup in Wales, is three shots clear of the field after moving to 14-under-par with a 67, which included an eagle and five birdies.

“It was very good today,” admitted Molinari. “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.”

Also on course to win cards are former US PGA champion Y E Yang, as well as English duo Tom Lewis and Eddie Pepperell.