HARTLEPOOL golfer Graeme Storm will need to produce the round of his life at Emporda in Spain today to stand any chance of winning back his place on the European Tour.

Storm shot a superb 68 in the fifth round of the Qualifying School yesterday, but due to some high-scoring he still needs to card a final round of 64 or 65 to stand any chance of finishing within the top-35 qualifying mark.

The former British Amateur champion, who squeezed into the fourth round following disappointing second and third round scores of 73 and 70, is currently nine-under-par, 15 shots behind runaway leader Richard McEvoy.

Essex's McEvoy hit seven birdies in his last 11 holes for an outstanding 63.

McEvoy was a member of the Walker Cup side that won in America two years ago - and another of them, Scot Steven O'Hara, is joint second on 22 under following a 67.

They are both trying to join teammates Graeme McDowell, Nick Dougherty, Luke Donald and Jamie Elson on the circuit next year.

''It's spurred me on to get to where they are,'' said McEvoy, no relation to his Walker Cup captain Peter.

The 24-year-old missed his card by a single shot a year ago, so had to divert his attention to the Challenge Tour. The top 15 from that graduate to the main tour and he finished 19th.

''I had eight top 10s, but didn't win, so it would be nice to do it here,'' he said.

David Carter, who five years ago was Nick Faldo's partner as England won the World Cup, eagled the long 18th for the second day running and is joint 25th on 15 under.

But Russell Claydon had two bogey sixes in the last three holes to drop to 49th four strokes further back.

Warren Bennett, who won the Scottish PGA championship four years ago before suffering a catalogue of injuries, is more comfortably placed at tied 14th on 17 under after a 67.

But Southampton's Richard Bland, who lost a play-off for the Irish Open only last year, could need a 63 - and Van Phillips, winner of the 1999 Portuguese Open, may have to shoot 60.