David Higgins’s quest for a European Tour card for 2014 got off to a strong start after his opening round in the final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

The Kerry golfer fired a three-under par 67 around the Tour Course to leave himself in a tie for 28th place at the PGA Catalunya Course in Girona.

Higgins, 40, got off to the best possible start by hitting a birdie at the first but a bogey five at the fourth brought his score back to level par and that’s how it stayed heading to the back nine.

But he managed birdies at the 10th, 15th, 16th and 18th as well as a bogey at the 14th to leave him in a good position with five rounds still to play of the gruelling event.

Ruaidhri McGee, who won his first qualifying stage at Wychwood Park back in September, is also in the hunt for after a commendable two-under par 70 over the Stadium course.

The Rosapenna golfer has been in impressive form as of late and played some quality shots throughout his round to finish the day in a share of 44th spot along with Ballymena amateur Dermot McElroy.

McElroy was also two-under-par for the day over on the Tour Course after his round of 68.

Kevin Phelan will have a lot of work to do today during his second round after a disappointing 73 left him at one-over par around the Stadium Course.

The top 25 players and ties after six rounds will earn their cards for next year, with France’s Edouard Espana leading the way after a brilliant eight-under 62 on the Stadium Course left him two shots clear of the field.