Caldwell makes progress in qualifying

Irishman Jonathan Caldwell's bid to join his close friend Rory McIlroy on the European Tour got off to a purposeful start in the opening round of the qualifying school final at PGA Golf de Catalunya.

The 24-year-old former Walker Cup player, who joined the professional ranks last week, reeled off four birdies on a fine inward half over the Red course and carded a four-under 67 to tuck himself in among the early leaders.

Rising star McIlroy has established himself on the main circuit having earned his tour card by finishing third in last year's Dunhill Links championship but his former amateur team-mate is having to earn his playing rights the hard way in the six-round qualifier.

'Rory and myself are good pals and we still sometimes practise together back home when we get a chance,' said Caldwell, who sits behind pace-setter Oskar Henningsson of Sweden, who had a six-under 66 on the Green course to set the early pace.

'He called me on Saturday after I'd qualified for the final and wished me luck. He didn't have to go through this but I know what I have to do and it would be nice to join him on the tour. I'm certainly going to give it my best shot.'

Front-runner Henningsson surged to the top with three birdies and an eagle on his back-nine over the Green course as he fired a six-under 66.

Scotsman David Drysdale, making his seventh tour school final appearance, was heading for a share of the lead after a hole-in-one at the short ninth but a brace of late bogeys at 16 and 18 left him with a four-under 68.

Danny Willett, the former world amateur number one, made a steady start with a two-under 70 while former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart fought back from three-over after 11 to post a battling one-under 71.

English rookie Chris Wood, the winner of the silver medal in July's Open championship at Royal Birkdale, began his campaign for one of the 30 tour cards on offer with a level-par 72 but a host of past tour champions all found the return to school a dispiriting experience.

Andrew Oldcorn, the 2001 PGA champion, had a five-over 77 while Philip Golding struggled to a 79. Frenchman Jean Francois Remesy could only muster a five-over 76 on the Red Course.