SUNSHINE TOUR QUALIFYING - Stewart moves up to joint 12th

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) improved his position greatly in the South African Sunshine Tour qualifying event on Thursday after a third round 67 moved him up to joint 12th place.

(from the www.scottishgolfview.com website) James Byrne and Michael Stewart are lying joint sixth and 12th respectively after three rounds of the South African Sunshine Tour Qualifying School at Schoeman Park Golf Club. The top 60 and ties after four rounds will contest the final round at the end of which the leading 30 and ties will earn playing privileges on the tour. Banchory's Byrne is on nine-under-par 207 after rounds of 68, 66 and 73. A double bogey 6 at the 15th contributed to his first over-par score of the week.  Stewart, from Troon, is at last showing the form that made him Scottish amateur champion and earned Walker Cup honours alongside Byrne at Balgownie in September 2011. He covered the last 10 holes in the third round in six under par with eagle 3s at the ninth and 12th and birdies at the 10th and 15th. Home in 32, Stewart tagged a five-under 67 on to earlier efforts of 72 and 70 for a tally of 209. South Africans are in the first three places with J P Van Der Walt leading the field at 15-under-par 201, with scores of 66,66 and 69. SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL Schoeman Park Golf Club. LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS Par 216 (3x72) Players from South Africa unless stated 201 J P Van derWalt 66 66 69. 203 M J Daffue 63 70 70. 204 Bradley Sinnett (am) 66 73 65. BRITISH SCORES 207 James Byrne (Sco) 68 66 73 (T6). 208 Laurie Canter (Eng) 68 74 66 (T9). 209 Michael Stewart (Sco) 72 70 67, Ross McGowan (Eng) 70 68 71 (T12). 219 TimRice (Ire) 71 68 71 (T18) 211 Michael Downes (Eng) 69 71 71 (T22) 213 Rhys Enoch (Wal) 73 69 71 (T34) 216 Charlie Ford (Eng) 73 68 75 (T66).