Ali Stars At Qualifying School - 16/11/2007

YASIN ALI hit a course record 62 at the Chart Hills leg of the European Tour First Qualifying Stage to put himself in a good position as 707 hopefuls compete to progress to Second Stage.

A record number of players are hoping to win a place on the 2006 European Tour, with six venues across the UK and Europe hosting 72-hole QUalifying Stages this week.

Many stars of the 2005 PGA EuroPro Tour are in contention for one of 137 places at stage two, where they will join the top five in the Order of Merit - who gain exemption from the opening round.

Yasin Ali, who represents the Nad Al Sheba Club in Dubai, has created the majority of the headlines after the second round was played on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old hit a course record 62, including ten birdies, at Chart Hills to recover from an opening round 74 and put himself in contention.

He is joined at -8 by fellow PGA EuroPro Tour stars Ben St John (67,69), Kieran Staunton (66,70) and Ally Mellor (67,69).

Antonio Sobrinho, who won the recent Vila Sol Barclays European Masters, and Paul McKechnie are a shot further back, with Jeremy Kavanagh among four players at -6.

David Fisher celebrated his 34th birthday in style by posting the best round of the day at St Annes Old Links in Lytham, his superb 63 giving him a share of second place on -13.

South African teenager Anton Haig holds the lead at the Circolo Golf Bogogno leg of the First Stage in Italy, following up his opening round 69 with a 64 on Wednesday.

A cut will be made at all venues after Thursday's third round, with between 22 and 24 players from each stage progressing to Second Stage of Qualifying School next month.