Edoardo Molinari extended his lead to three strokes at Final Stage Qualifying School before play was suspended late on day five at INFININTUM due to lightning.
The Italian started the day two shots clear and extended that to three after moving to four under par through 15 holes and to 24 under par for the week before play was suspended. Swede Nikas Lemke and South African Justin Harding share second place on 21 under par.
The three-time DP World Tour winner has led the six-round marathon since carding a ten under par 61 on day two and is well-placed to secure a swift return to golf’s Global Tour.
Molinari ended the 2024 Race to Dubai in 140th place to miss out on retaining his DP World Tour playing privileges but is in a commanding position, with the leading 20 players and ties set to earn a card for 2025.
“It would be very nice to do it,” he said. “I’ve been playing on the DP World Tour for a long time, and I’m coming to the end of my career, but I still feel like I have some good tournaments in me.
“I would like to spend a bit more time out here. I feel like I’m still young enough to give it a few more good years.”
The European Ryder Cup Vice Captain started the day with a bogey at the first, but bounced back with birdies on holes eight, nine, 11, 13 and 15 to ease clear in testing conditions in Tarragona.
“I felt like I got off to a slow start today,” he added. “I wasn’t feeling great and then all of sudden I made a good putt on eight, a birdie on nine and then the back nine was really good again so I was able to move a little bit clear.
How it stands as play was suspended late on day five due to lighting 📊#DPWTQSchool
— DP World Tour Q-School (@DPWTQSchool) November 12, 2024
“I’m feeling good. A little bit tired but I’m sure the adrenaline will keep me going tomorrow. Hopefully I can have a good finish to my fifth round in the morning and then one good last round.”
Amateur Jacob Skov Olesen from Denmark occupies solo fourth on 19 under par, with Englishman Ben Schmidt and Frenchman Clément Sordet one shot further back in fifth.
Three players share sixth on 17 under par, including Zimbabwean Benjamin Follett-Smith and American duo Ryggs Johnston and Davis Bryant.
Round five will resume at 8:30am local time tomorrow, with round six not due to start before 9:30am.
