Conor Purcell fought back from a four-over-par front nine, but his one-over 73 left him with work to do to make the cut at the KLM Open at The International in Amsterdam.
The Dubliner (27) made four bogeys on the back nine, two of them with three-putts, before following birdies at the first, third and sixth with another bogey at the par-three seventh.
He ended the day tied for 74th, nine shots behind Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia, whose 64 gave him a one-shot lead over Scotland’s Connor Syme.
It was a better day on the HotelPlanner Tour for Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy, who built on his third-place finish in Cadiz last week and opened with a four-under 67 in the Swiss Challenge in Lucerne.
“I've been working on the technical side of things for a while with my swing and decided a few weeks back to scrap the swing thoughts and just go out and play my usual game,” said McElroy, who was tied for 15th, four strokes behind England’s David Horsey.
“I did it to be more consistent on the course, but obviously, my performances at the start of the year were poor enough.
“So I am happy to be back hitting my normal shots again and certainly more comfortable on the course as a result.”
Alex Maguire was 38th after a 69 with Liam Nolan, who is eighth in the rankings, a shot further back in 54th after a 70.
Level par 71s left Jonny Caldwell and Max Kennedy joint 77th, while Mark Power’s 74 left him 129th.
On the Alps Tour, Michael Young goes into the final round seven shots behind Italy’s Andrea Romano in the Alps de Andalucia-Roquetas de Mar in Spain.
A one-under 69 left him tied for 11th on five under as High Foiey’s 68 left him two shots further back in a tie for 18th.
Ronan Mullarney was tied 23rd on two under after a 67 as Marc Boucher (70) missed the lavel par cut by one with John Murphy (74) and Robert Moran (73) two shots further back.
On the Clutch Tour, John-Ross Galbraith was the best of the Irish in the Caddy Comps Championship at Clandon Regis, where a final round 71 left him joint ninth on 11-under, five shots behind winner David Langley
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Article Link: McElroy goes back to basics to continue good form in Lucerne - News - Irish Golf Desk