DAMIEN McGRANE is closing in on one of his main targets of the year, a place in next week's season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama for the first time.

The Wexford golfer is likely to achieve his aim, but if Gary Murphy is to join him there, he will have to do very well at this week's Majorca Classic which starts today.

McGrane is 62nd on the European Tour Order of Merit with the top 60 after this event qualifying for Valderrama. Any reasonable finish should get McGrane there.

But Murphy, who played Valderrama in 2003, is well aware that he needs a very high finish this weekend. "I need a tied second, about 100 grand, so I need a good week," admitted the Kilkenny golfer, who believes he knows where his problem lies.

"It's been my ball striking really. I've been trying to change a few things in my swing and I've been struggling to adapt."

Brian Creighton