The New Zealand golfer James Gill is in a tie for seventh at the European PGA Tour's first qualifying stage in Germany.
24-year-old Gill shot a four under 68 with seven birdies and three bogeys to finish four shots off the pace set by Norway's Marius Thorp.
The Qualifying School is in 3 stages with the final stage in Spain in late November.
The leading 30 players, plus ties, earn membership of The European Tour for 2010.
Gill is the only Kiwi left in the hunt for a card.
