McKibbin and Murphy chase Tour cards in Spain

Irish duo Tom McKibbin and John Murphy will be hoping to secure DP World Tour cards this week as the Rolex Challenge Tour's Road to Mallorca comes to a conclusion with the Grand Final.

The field was cut to 45 golfers following the 27th of 28 tournaments, the English Trophy, and the pair were inside the cut-off point.

With a boosted 500,000 ranking points on offer for the season finale, any of the 45 players teeing it up at the Club de Golf Alcanada can finish in the top 20 and earn promotion to the European Tour.

That’s good news for Murphy, but less so for 19-year-old McKibbin who is aiming to defend a position of strength.

The County Antrim man finished in a tie for fourth at the English Trophy, meaning he sits 15th in the overall rankings with 102,575.8, well ahead of 16th placed Alejandro Del Rey [89,909.4 points].

Cork man Murphy has a lot of work to do if he is to secure one of the tour cards though.

He was as low as 92nd in the rankings midway through the season, but a late run of good form has brought him to 42nd with 56,618.1 ranking points, so a big finish is needed.

Switz golfer Jeremy Freiburghaus tops the rankings currently with 156,249.6 points.