A disappointing second round 79 to miss the cut at last week’s delayed Madeira Islands Open will be excellent motivation for Terry Pilkadaris to step up his game this week at the Challenge Tour’s Northern Ireland Open.

Pilkadaris, currently 49th on the Order of Merit on Europe’s secondary Tour, has been indifferent this season despite missing just two cuts.

A fourth place finish at the Najeti Open in France in June has been the highlight with no other top-10’s for the year.

The West Australian is joined in the field this week by Daniel Gaunt and Scott Arnold with Geoff Drakeford, Jack Wilson and Dimi Papadatos all on the alternates list.

Gaunt tees up in his ninth event of the season but is yet to post a top-10 on the secondary Tour though did finish T9 at the European Tour’s BMW International Open in June.

Like Pilkadaris Gaunt also missed the cut last week and at 127th on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit needs some good results to keep his playing rights for next year.

After an impressive Open campaign Scott Arnold wasn’t in the field last week and will be keen to get back on course this week to see if he can continue the form from St Andrews.

A mid field finish in France the week after the Open could easily be put down to fatigue but refreshed from a week off it would be no surprise to see Arnold contend this week.