Dermot McElroy makes cut in France after remarkable 11-shot turnaround

The 31-year-old limped to a four-over 74 in his first round at Golf Bluegreen de Pléneuf Val André and looked to be on his way to a third straight missed cut, but produced some sparkling golf in his second round to not just make the cut but spark hopes he could make a weekend run in Pléneuf, France. McElroy would sign for an eagle, eight birdies and three bogeys on day two as he went aggressive, a seven-under 63 taking him to three-under-par overall and into a share of 26th.

He does have work to do if he was to somehow produce a remarkable victory, which would be his first on the Challenge Tour, as Sweden’s Björn Åkesson went one shot better, a 62 taking him to 13-under-par which is three clear of fellow countryman Per Längfors and Norway’s Jeppe Kristian Andersen.

Derry’s Ruaidhri McGee is also in for the weekend but will be disappointed he wasn’t able to back up a solid three-under first round as a level-par 70 kept him on the same score alongside McElroy.

Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell also made the cut as he signed for back-to-back level-par 70s to make the weekend on the number tied for 61st.

Meanwhile, Tom McKibbin will need an impressive weekend if he is to book his place at The Open after his momentum stalled at the KLM Open.

The 21-year-old Holywood ace produced a wonderful finish to his first round with three birdies in his final four holes, but he couldn’t back it up on Friday as he could only manage three birdies and two bogeys in a one-under 70 at The International in Amsterdam.

While that had him comfortably inside the cut line at three-under-par, it leaves him seven shots off leader Mikko Korhonen needing to be one of the top two finishers not already qualified for Royal Troon to earn another Major berth.