Finch on course to save Tour card

A decent final round will ensure Finch keeps his tour card for 2008

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD:
(GB & Ire unless stated)
-10 R-J Derksen (Ned, 15*)
-9, J-F Lucquin (Fra, 15), G Bourdy (Fra, 18)
-8 Pe Lawrie (15), Sm Little (15)
-7 Finch (18)
Selected others
-5 S Garcia (Spa, 17)
-4 T Bjorn O (Den, 18)
* After hole

Richard Finch is on course to save his European Tour card at the last attempt in the rain-delayed Mallorca Classic.

The man from Hull carded a third-round 66 to stand at seven under at Pula Golf Club, finishing just before the siren sounded to suspend play for the day.

That was three shots behind leader Robert-Jan Derksen, who reached the 16th on 10 under before darkness brought play to a close.

Derksen led by one from playing partner Jean-Francois Lucquin of France.

Another Frenchman, Gregory Bourdy, set the clubhouse target on nine under after a 64.

Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia, never outside the top two in three appearances, was five under with just one hole of his third round to play.

Finch began the week in 124th on the Order of Merit with only the top 117 keeping their cards for next season, but is now ideally placed to claim at least the top-20 finish required.

Even if I don't make it I think I'll be a better player for the experience I had at the start of the year when I missed so many cuts Richard Finch

"In some ways the position I'm in is a good thing because at least I have a chance," he said.

"I'm fairly pleased with the way I'm playing and I just have to keep doing what I'm doing for one more round.

"It's the old cliche of playing one shot at a time and not thinking about what I need to do, what might happen, what might not happen.

"Even if I don't make it I think I'll be a better player for the experience I had at the start of the year when I missed so many cuts (12 out of 13 at one stage)."

Several more famous names than Finch were not so fortunate however. Tour winners David Carter, David Park and Sven Struver face a trip to the qualifying school next month after missing the halfway cut.

Former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart maintains a slim hope of keeping his card after making the cut right on the mark of three over and improving to one over with two holes of his third round to play.