Newly qualified player's tour could end...

Newly qualified player's European tour could end before it begins | guardian.co.uk

Another Simon Wins Q School

Simon Wakefield secured a return to The European Tour for 2011, shooting a final round 67 to lead the 34 graduates at the Qualifying School on a day of fluctuating emotions in Girona, Spain.

The 36 year old, who finished 63rd in the Challenge Tour Rankings, finished on 21 under par at PGA Catalunya Resort, two strokes clear of Spaniard Carlos Del Moral, with Finn Mikko Korhonen a further two shots back in third.

Wakefield is the second consecutive Englishman called Simon to win the Qualifying School and he will be hoping to follow a similar path to last year’s champion Simon Khan, whose victory 12 months ago led to further glory in The European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in May.

“The first goal was to make the cut and then it was to finish top 30, but the position I’ve been in the last couple of days, it was like 2005 again, when I’d lost my card by a few thousand Euros and came out to Qualifying school not feeling like I deserved to be there but put it behind me and finished second,” said Wakefield. 

“It was so nice to go one better this time. I’ve had two or three second places on the Tour in recent times and lost in a play-off, and I know this isn’t a tournament effectively but I’ve still had to win and I’ve broken my duck. This is as good as a win for me and I cannot wait to get home.” 

Wakefield’s 407 aggregate total for the six round Qualifying School was one stroke lower than Khan’s winning score in 2009 and was secured with a superb birdie on the last, stopping his five iron approach within two feet from the pin.

After starting the final day level with Del Moral, Wakefield pulled clear with a hat-trick of birdies after the turn and while his Spanish rival reduced the margin to one stroke with an eagle on the 15th, the Englishman’s closing birdie put daylight between the pair.

“You watch the top boys, Westwood and McDowell and the rest, and they make birdies down the last to win the tournament and that was going through my head on the last, when if there was one time I needed to pull off a perfect shot it was then,” said Wakefield.

“I hit a perfect five iron which rolled up to about 15 inches, so it’s fantastic and I’m absolutely delighted. It means the world to me.

“I had about four hours’ sleep last night. I knew the mark was going to be about nine or ten under and I was on 16 overnight but I was thinking of the five or six tough holes you really need to concentrate on. The game plan went great.”

Del Moral was equally delighted to secure his card after finishing an agonising 21st in the Challenge Tour Rankings, missing out by a mere €538. 

“This is the one week where I really don’t mind finishing second,” said the 25 year old, who gained the third card in 2008. “Near the end of the round I saw that Simon and I were a few shots ahead, so for the first time I thought about really going for it and winning. But I came up just short in the end, and he deserved to win because he played very well today.

“It’s been a long season, and after finishing 21st in the Rankings I thought the year might end in disappointment. But I took a few days off to recover, and then prepared for this week. I’m so proud of the way I played here, and I have to give credit to my fitness coach, because he’s done a great job with me. It’s such a long week, but even today I didn’t feel too tired.”

As always at Qualifying School there were contrasting fortunes further down the leaderboard, with England’s Adam Gee and fourth round leader Florian Fritsch, of Germany, both posting seven under par rounds of 65 to secure their cards.

Englishman Matthew Nixon survived a double bogey on the last as he became the only amateur to gain his card this year in a share of 11th spot, while Dane Andreas Hartø and Frenchman Romain Wattel, who both recently turned professional after winning on the Challenge Tour as amateurs in 2010, also progressed at the first attempt.

Frenchman Alexandre Kaleka and Spaniard Manuel Quiros both signed for rounds of 68 to finish on 10 under par and nine under par – the cut mark for cards – respectively.

There was also joy for Welshman Liam Bond, who gained his European Tour card for the first time on his 16th visit to Qualifying School, while it will be a happy festive period in the Saltman household after Scottish brothers Elliot and Lloyd both graduated.

The Saltmans, who will join Italian’s Edoardo and Francesco Molinari as the only other brothers on Tour, became the first siblings to graduate from the same Qualifying School.

Lloyd, who at 25 is the younger of the pair, carded a 69 to finish in a share of 11th place on 12 under par, while 28 year old Elliot had a nerve-racking wait to see if he would be joining him, eventually making it on the mark of nine under par after a 70.

Elliot said: “Our mum texted me last night and said she hoped either both of us made it or neither of us, so we could travel together again next season. It feels awesome to make it on to The European Tour with my brother and it should be a good Christmas in our house this year after this.”

Lloyd added: “It feels unbelievable, and to have Elliott get his card makes it extra special. I hardly put a foot wrong today – to make only one bogey on that course was pretty good going – so it’s up there with the best rounds of my career, and certainly the most important. 

“I’ve been in the top 30 most of the week, and just lost a few places yesterday, but I’m proud of the way I finished the job off and I’m sure my parents are proud of me too. I owe them a lot for the support they’ve shown us, so hopefully this goes some way towards repaying them.”

There was disappointment, however, for the Saltman’s fellow Scotsman Chris Doak, who started the day in 12th place but lipped out on the last hole to miss out by one stroke as he carded a 75.

English amateur Matthew Southgate dropped two shots in his last three holes to drop out of the card places, while Spaniard Jorge Campillo, who had started the sixth and final round in a share of fifth place, posted a nine over par 81 to slip to 55th position and miss out.

Niall Kearney Fails to Graduate

Niall Kearney brought his 2010 European Tour School Qualifying campaign in Girona on Friday afternoon following a level par final round of 72 on the Stadium Course at the PGA Catalunya. Having battled on Wednesday to make the cut for the final rounds the 2009 Walker Cup player could not make up for the setback of his fifth round 76 and so signed for 67th place. 

Although Kearney finished eighteen places behind last year’s campaign he must gain some satisfaction from his competitiveness at Stage 2 in Costa Ballena Golf Resort and indeed for part of this week – having missed a large part of the Challenge Tour season due to injury. 

With a medical exemption to be availed of next year the Dubliner can look forward to making an impact on the Challenge Tour next season if he stays injury free.

European Tour School Qualifying leader board

At Least Time is On Kearney's Side

The momentum of Irish golfers Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Gareth Maybin, Damien McGrane, and in particular Graeme McDowell, this past year has certainly taken the profile of Irish golf further on the world stage and comes hot on the heels of the pioneering victories of Padraig Harrington and his three Majors - with a supporting cast of Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke playing their part over the years. 

Not forgetting of course the legends of our game who ploughed the furrow decades earlier when money was minimal, travel not done by private jet and the hard work even harder. Those included in such a roll of honour are Christy O'Connor Snr, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, Philip Walton, David Ferherty, Ronan Rafferty, Christy O'Connor Jnr - to name only some of them. All of whom did more than their bit for Irish golf - including winning Ryder Cup's. 

In those days they might argue it was just as hard to get a Tour Card – maybe even harder – although the truth perhaps is that the competition was somewhat less then it is today. 

In looking at the top 70 through in the final round of European Tour School Final Qualifying this year at the PGA Catalunya the nationality mix shows the following: Spain 9; England 16; Finland 2; Wales 2; Denmark 2; France 7; Scotland 4; USA 1, Australia 3; Sweden 7; South Africa 3; Netherlands 1; Argentina 1, Austria 2, Germany 3; Norway 2; Paraguay 1; Ireland 1. 

The interesting statistics are always the Scandinavian countries - because of the comparable population sizes to Ireland – and clearly Danish, Finnish and Norwegian golf is delivering players at the highest levels, with Sweden now doing it consistently for two decades. 

In Ireland there are over four hundred registered golf clubs and in excess of two hundred and fifty thousand registered players reflecting close to six percent of the population active in golf. In Spain with a population of 47 million the active golfers are less than one percent with over 345 clubs and three hundred and fifty thousand registered players. 

In Sweden there are 576,000 registered golfers with a total of 482 golf courses and a population of nearly nine and half million. The more interesting statistic though that is Junior golf in the UK & Ireland account for approximately 9% of the total number of members based on 2007 figures. Some countries appear to have more success in attracting juniors to the game, for example Sweden where just under 15% of the registered golfing population are juniors. 

Having fielded twelve players at Stage 2 Irish prospects looked good at the outset of the past two weeks but with one round remaining, and Niall Kearney faltering, reality is that there will be no Irish players graduating in the 2011 season. Which will be the first time that has happened in a few years. Indeed the casualty rate this year has been particularly disappointing given the calibre of players the field included; 2 former Walker Cup players, previous Tour card holders and the 2010 Irish PGA winner. When the list is matched with the Team Ireland Grants for the year it is also reflects a discouraging scenario given the financial support the players have received. 

Many of them now face uncertain playing schedules for the next 12 months – other than the Challenge Tour. Which for some, such as Simon Thornton, will feel like a backward step having played it intermittently in the years before he made big leap to the 2010 European Tour schedule. The reality though is, that the route to a tour card remains the same - as it did for Philip Walton and Christy O'Connor and the Bradford born Thornton exemplifies the progress that can be made from the Irish PGA Region. 

Although having won the Irish PGA order of merit three times he had to wait until 2009 to make the breakthrough at Q School. 

It has proved possible for Damien McGrane, who broke through in 2003, and by Gareth Maybin who made it from the Challenge Tour in 2008 - having finished in fourth place - albeit 44th the previous year. Michael Hoey also got through final stage hurdles in 2008. Indeed, Shane Lowry has not looked out of place in the big time after earning his exemption after winning the 3 Irish Open in 2009 at Baltray - a year after finishing 33rd at Stage 2 in Sherry Golf.

Undoubtedly Qualifying School brings players to a level of intensity that is alien to the daily life on the Irish Region week in week out – or even the main Tour events – as it requires a solid performances for eight rounds over Stage 1 and then Stage 2. But more importantly, for the final six rounds every December the competitors need everything to come together - come hell or high water - in order to secure one of those highly sought after 30 places. Which means that the intensity is unparalleled. 

The truth however is that golf is not a fairy-tale for everyone and such are the twists in the sport that the likes of Michael McGeady, Colm Moriarty, Jonathan Caldwell and Gareth Shaw will undoubtedly have clearer memories of the downsides too. All four faced Q School again this year - in their ambition to play the European Tour - and all four failed once more. 

Given that some players in the past made the decision to pursue other careers away from golf in order to bring more certainty to their lives - given the odyssey Tour school can become – it may be that this year others decide to do the same thing. 

For Niall Kearney though it is only the second time in the final stage and should he be unable to produce the miracle needed tomorrow then he has time still very much on his side to try again in 2011. 

Others know the clock is ticking and the option may not be so obvious. 

Kearney Still Has Work Ahead

Niall Kearney started to see the dream of a 2011 European Tour card fade at European Tour School Final Qualifying on Thursday after carding a four over par fifth round 76 on the Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya. 

Having needed a bit of magic on Wednesday to make the cut – and found it with an eagle three on his 16th hole – the Royal Dublin player experienced the opposite on Thursday when his card was marked with a bogey of the 2nd, double-bogey on the 5th hole - with only one birdie in reply – to make the turn in a two over par 38. 

On the back nine Kearney birdied the tenth but followed it with a bogey and then a double-bogey on the par three 5th hole and then ending the day with another dropped shot on the final hole. 

Kearney is in 69th place ahead of the sixth and final round with Carlos del Moral of Spain and Simon Wakefield joint leaders on 16 under par.

European Tour School Final Qualifying Round 5 leader board

47 Started and One Remains

At European Tour School Final Qualifying last year Ireland had 6 representatives at the start of the six rounds at the PGA Catalunya in Girona after 10 players failed to progress to the season finale from Stage 2. 

On the final day the Irish players battling it out included Niall Kearney, winner of the 2009 Brabazon Trophy and member of the 2009 Walker Cup team; Simon Thornton, a former Assistant Professional at Royal County Down; Gary Murphy, seeking to regain his card ten years after first securing playing rights; and John Kelly of the TItleist Performance Center. 

In the end only Thornton and Murphy were amongst the final thirty finalists that gained cards for the 2010 season. This year there is only one candidate through as Colm Moriarty, Damian Mooney and Simon Thornton missed out on Wednesday. 

At the outset of European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 a total of eight venues played host this year with the first two qualifiers starting at The London Club in Kent and Ribegolf near Lisbon in Portugal. 

At the London Club the Irish line up included Garrett Leahy, Niall Turner of Muskerry GC; Michael McGeady of McCambridge Duffy, Shane Franklin Athenry Golf club and Ian Davison from Groomsport Golf Centre. 

Amateur Simon Ward was the sole Irish entry at Ribegolfe for this week’s other qualifying venue.

The second week of European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 was hosted in Barbaroux Golf Club in France and Ebreichsdorf in Austria. 

The players that took their place in France included Michael Mulryan Athenry Golf Club; Richard Kilpatrick, Banbridge Golf Club; Cian McNamara, Limerick GC; Byron Campbell, Malone Golf Club and Glen Robinson of St. Helen's Bay Golf Resort in Rosslare. 

In Austria two Irish players competed, Justin Brink of Mieminger Plateau GC and Eamon Brady, of Clontarf Golf Club 

In the third section of European Tour Qualifying School - Section C – moved to Dundonald Links in Scotland and Fleesensee in Germany with over twenty five Irish players chasing places at Stage 2 in November. 

Former Shamrock Rover Rovers striker, Stephen Grant, was one of those seeking to make European Tour golf his new full time sporting career having left professional football behind in 2004. 

Michael Collins, David Mortimer and Mark Staunton of FORE Ireland wire amongst those competing in four rounds of golf at Dundonald Links. 

Gareth Shaw, a regular on the Challenge Tour, was also in the field as was former European Tour member and winner of the Lexus Race To Mount Juliet in association with PING, David Higgins of Waterville. 

These players were joined by Noel Murray of Dunmurray GC; James Monaghan [AM] of The Island; Fergal Rafferty, Unattached; Chris Hughes, Castle GC; Peter O’Keeffe, Douglas GC; Gary David Cullen, Beaverstown; Michael Lavelle, K Club; Barrie Trainor, Team Ireland Golf; Tim Rice, Limerick; Damien Mooney, Unattached; Noel Fox, Portmarnock GC; John G Kelly, St Margaret’s Golf and Country Club; Reeve Whitson, Mourne GC and Chris Moriarty, Donaghdea. 

Daniel Sugrue, who received a sponsor’s invite to the 3 Irish Open at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, was also in the entry list. 

The two final European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 events were played at Wychwood Park in Crewe, in the United Kingdom and Circolo Golf Bogogno in Italy. 

In Italy at Circolo Golf Bogogno there was one Irish entry, Ruaidhri McGee, who is based in Rhoda Golf near Murcia. 

At DeVere Wychwood Park there was a larger group of ten Irish players registered to play which included; David Ruddy, Thurles; Cian Daly, Castletroy GC; Ross Oliver, Carrickfergus; John Price, Unattached; David Kernohan, Galgorm Castle; David Rawluk, The Island and Brendan McCaroll, Letterkenny GC / JFG Academie. 

Also included are two players from the GUI’s 2010 National Panel, Cian Curley of Newlands GC and Dara Lernihan of Castle GC. 

Paul O’Hanlon of The Curragh competed which followed his share of second place at the last EUROPRO Tour event of the season at Five Lakes. 

This week all that effort comes down to the one last candidate still in the mix as Niall Kearney competes over two rounds for one of those top 30 spots.

On Friday we will know the result of his efforts.

Niall Kearney Final Eagle Magic

Niall Kearney of Royal Dublin started the day on four under par and proceeded to drop as many shots after carding three double bogeys and bogey by the time he walked off the tenth green – leaving him three shots off the projected cut with eight holes to play. 

Then some magic on his 12th and 13th holes allowed a two shot recovery and with momentum on his side the Dubliner eagled the 16th hole - the par five seventh – to go level for the day. 

The 2009 Walker Cup player then ended his round where he started on four under and inside the cut with one shot to spare. More importantly, he makes the final two rounds on Thursday and Friday. 

Having finished in 49th place a year ago Kearney is now targeting a top 30 finish – which he is well capable of achieving. 

For Simon Thornton fortune worked the other way after he let slip his three under par over night total to finish 1 under par for the day and two under overall in a share of 71st place. At one point 2 under looked enough but the final groupings didn’t impact the scoreboard and Thornton missed out by one shot. 

Colm Moriarty ended the day in 112th place after playing a one under par round to end the tournament over par - having started the day without a realistic chance of improving his overnight position. 

After making the turn level pegging the Athlone golfer dropped a shot on the back nine to finish the day with a 71 and 2 over for the tournament - bringing to an end another Q School campaign. 

For Damian Mooney the European Tour also ended after he was unable to overcome the damage of his third round 77 on Tuesday signing for a final round of 67 on 3 over par and in a share for 123rd place. 

The Final Stage now is now only two more rounds of golf over the Stadium Courses in which the leading 30 players (+ ties) will be ranked according to their score for 2010 Tour Cards.. 

These will be most competitive and nerve jangling holes these professionals will ever play and they also do so knowing that only 30 earn places at the European Tour next season. 

Other casualties from round 4 included Chris Gane of England, Jose Felipe Lima of Portugal. Julien Guerrer of France and 1999 Ryder Cup team member Andrew Coltart . 

Veteran Santiago Luna of Spain also fell short as did Scotland duo of Marc Warren and Scott Drummond.

Round 4 leader board

Thornton Still Inside Cut at Turn

Simon Thornton has made the turn in one under par on the Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya Golf Resort in the critical fourth round of European Tour School Final Qualifying and currently five places inside on four under the projected cut by one shot. 

Niall Kearney of Royal Dublin has slipped after a double bogeys on the 9th and 13th holes to fall to 2 under at the turn and seven places outside the top 70. 

Colm Moriarty was in 105th place after playing 15 holes in 2 under par to remain on one over for the tournament. 

Daman Mooney is 2 over par through twelve holes and also 2 over par for the tournament. 

The Final Stage is being played over 108 holes and the 156 players play two rounds over both the Tour and Stadium Courses with a cut after 72 hole for the 70 players and ties who will play 2 further rounds. 

At the conclusion of 108 holes, the leading 30 players (+ ties) will be ranked according to score.

Kearney and Thornton Eye Cut

Niall Kearney of Royal Dublin kept his challenge alive in windy conditions to card a 67 in round 3 of the European Tour School Final Qualifying on Tuesday and his three under par round was enough to remain in 52nd place - inside the top 70 places that make the cut after the fourth round cut on Wednesday. 

With two birdies and a bogey on the front nine on the Tour Course at the PGA Catalunya Kearney made the turn in 34 and started the back nine with an eagle three on the par 5 tenth. On the homeward eight holes the Dubliner was level after two birdies and two bogeys to finish the round 3 under par. 

Simon Thornton ended with a 68 - after making the turn in 32 shots – following birdies on holes 4, 7 and 9 with another to come at the 10th. However, two dropped shots on the back nine gave him a two under par finish on the Tour Course and 59th place overnight. 

Colm Moriarty was level par for the day on the Stadium Course and in 99th place – following a one over par round. After he opened with a bogey on the 10th the Glasson professional then had to wait until the 3rd hole to recover the dropped shot and secure a lever par 72 finish. 

Damian Mooney saw his dreams at Final Qualifying fizzle out with a third round 77, which included seven bogeys and two birdies - on the 4 and 13th - to finish in 128th place on 6 over par - and a minimum of eight strokes adrift of vital top 70 places. 

Elliot Saltman of Scotland leads after a six under par 64 to take a three-way share of the lead with Alfredo Garcia-Heredia and Steve Lewton at the halfway stage of The European Tour Qualifying School in Spain. 

On a day of low scoring at PGA Catalunya Resort, Garcia-Heredia and Saltman kept their cards bogey-free, posting six birdies each over the par 70 Tour Course to move to 11 under par, while Lewton recovered from a hat-trick of bogeys to sign for a 66. 

It proved to be a successful day all round for the Saltman family, with Elliot’s younger brother Lloyd carding a 65 to lie in a group of five players one stroke off the pace as the pair look to join the Molinaris as the only other siblings on The European Tour. 

Elliot Saltman, is the elder brother by three years, feels he is right at the top of his game after hitting 17 greens in regulation. 

“I think this is the best I've played,” he said. “My game's always been there and I've been working hard with my coach, Bob Torrance, but something's always been holding me back - the mental side of the game.  

“I've been getting too far ahead of myself and thinking 'what if'. It's nice to be top of the leader board but there's a long way to go. I said to myself if I can get to 13 under for six rounds I'll have a good chance. 

“I said to Bob last night I was feeling a little nervous but he just said 'what have you got to be nervous about? Just go and hit the ball'. That was the attitude I took today.” 

Garcia-Heredia, who claimed the last available card at the 2008 Qualifying School, said improvements to the mental side of his game contributed to his flawless display. 

“I’ve been working hard for the past six months, and I’m feeling good at the moment,” he said. “ I’ve been working mainly on my head, because my technique has always been pretty good. I wasn’t getting the results I should have, so I started seeing a psychologist and my results have got much better. 

“I’m staying much calmer now, even if things aren’t going my way. And I’m enjoying my golf a lot more. If I get my card back this week, I’m absolutely confident I’ll make more use of it next season. I’ll be a better player if and when I get back on Tour, for sure.”

Englishman Lewton, who was the first round leader after opening with a 63, was carded four birdies in his closing six holes after a shaky spell on his front nine. 

"It was a better day than yesterday but I started off poorly again,” he said. “I birdied my first hole - the tenth - then managed to bogey the 13th, 14th and 15th to go two over for the day. 

But from there I played really nicely. 

"It was a lot easier today because it wasn't blowing a gale. Obviously that means the scoring will be lower as well though. I'm just trying to play steady golf and not get too far ahead of myself. I'm just trying to play one round at a time.” 

Overnight leader Florian Fritsch, of Germany, shot a 68 to join the group of players one stroke off the lead on ten under par, along with Welshman Liam Bond (67), Scotsman Jack Doherty, Englishman Adam Gee (65) and Lloyd Saltman. 

All of the current top 30 – a position which would secure a European Tour card at the end of six rounds – came from the Tour Course, which has the lower par of the two courses in Girona. 

On the more difficult par 72 Stadium Course, which the leaders will tackle tomorrow, English amateur Matthew Nixon impressed most, posting a seven under par 65 to move to six under par and a share of 34th place. 

The Final Stage is scheduled to be played over 108 holes. A field of 156 players will play two rounds over both the Tour and Stadium Courses. After 72 holes, the field will be cut to the leading 70 players and ties who will play 2 further rounds. 

At the conclusion of 108 holes, the leading 30 players (+ ties) will be ranked according to score.

Round 3 leader board

Kearney finds form at Q School

Kearney finds form to roar back into the mix at Q School - Independent.ie

Kearney Hits 65 at Final Q

Niall Kearney moved up the leader board on day three of the European Tour School Final Qualifying after a second round 65 on the Tour Course at the PGA Catalunya, just outside Girona. 

An error free round included five birdies holes 4, 7, 10, 13 with a final on eon the 18th to put the Dubliner one under par for the tournament and in a share of 43rd place – seven shots off the leader. 

Simon Thornton joins him after his round of 69 which included a couple of early birdies on the 10th and 13th, a bogey on the 15th, having started on the 10th hole On the homeward leg the Newcastle, County Down resident traded a bogey on the 5th with a birdie on the 7th to finish one under for the day – and for the tournament. 

Damian Mooney was tested on the Stadium Course on Monday signing for a round of 75 dropping back to one over par overall after a double- bogey at the par 3 eleventh hole and five bogeys. But birdies on the 3rd,, 12th, 14th and 17th left him three over par for the day and in 77th place. 

Colm Moriarty is also one over par after a round of 69 following a bogey and then two birdies on the 6th and 8th to make thru en in one over par. On the back nine Moriarty birdied the 10th and 13th and 17th with only one dropped shot on the 15th to finish the day one under par 69. 

Germany’s Florian Fritsch carded a stunning seven under par 65 in the second round to take a share of the lead at The European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage after the 25 year old fired six birdies and an eagle over the Stadium Course to reach eight under par overall and lead four players - Liam Bond, Espen Kofstad, George Coetzee and first round leader Steve Lewton. 

“I just holed a bunch of putts on my front nine,” said Fritsch, who is a good friend of recently crowned European Number One Martin Kaymer. “My round today was a culmination of good shots, partial luck and a bunch of good putts. This is my third time here and I’ve missed the cut twice so I’m hoping for a lucky third time.” 

Fritsch admitted he has struggled with the mental side of the game, not helped by his fear of flying.

“I’m afraid of flying and this year it got to the point where I had to stop playing,” he said. “I quit at the beginning of the year because I didn’t want to play anymore. It was decreasing my quality of life so much that I thought it wasn’t worth it. I took up another job for eight months using my college training in sports management but realised it wasn’t for me. 

“I decided to play the last few events and played well in Toulouse, finishing fifth. I decided to go back to Q School and got through second stage and we’ll see what happens. I’m not aiming for anything. I was so result-orientated before so I’m not even thinking about it. My time away made me grow up as a golfer and a human being.” 

Coetzee, who won his European Tour card at Qualifying School last year and came 126th in The 2010 Race to Dubai, enjoyed a magnificent finish over the Tour Course. Having teed off from the tenth, he was one over par after seven holes but then had three consecutive birdies as his round sparked into life. He birdied the fourth, bogeyed the fifth, then ended with a stunning run of birdie, eagle, birdie for an inward 29. 

“I got off to a bit of a rough start today, but I told myself to stay patient and it worked out well for me in the end,” said Coetzee. “I holed out from off the green four times today, twice with putts and twice with chips, on the 17th and 18th. It often happens when you least expect it to, but I’ll certainly take it today. 

“I played well here last year to finish 16th and get my Tour card but didn’t really make the most of it. It was quite a good year financially, but I didn’t achieve any of the goals I set out at the start of the season. But hopefully I can get my card back and make better use of it next time. I feel like I’m good enough to compete out there, but need to prove it.”

Kofstad’s round was nearly as impressive, eight birdies in a 64 on the Tour Course marred only by a double bogey at the par three eighth. 

“Other than the double bogey on the eighth hole, I’ve got to be very happy with a round like that,” said the Norwegian. “I shanked it off the tee and it hit the trees, then I went through the back of the green with my second and three-putted from there. Most of my other putts were from inside 15 feet and I had a few tap-ins for birdie, so my irons were working well.

“I didn’t really feel comfortable in the first round, but today was a different story – the game felt much easier. I only turned professional after Stage Two after playing college golf at Denver University, so I’m very new to the pro game and I’ve still got a lot to learn.”

Bond, who also produced an impressive finish, said: “It was a tougher day today with the wind but I played really well. I had an eagle on 15 – drive, six iron to 20ft and holed it – which was nice to get me under par for the day, taking me to two under. I dropped one on the par three 16th and thought I’ll just try to get in under par, and then to birdie the last two was brilliant. They are two tough holes too. The finish here is great. 

“I holed an absolute bomb on the last there. Must have been 35ft down the slope. It’s such a long week that you just want to keep putting yourself in position and hang around. You’re not trying to win it like at any other tournament, you’ve just got to keep sniffing around and stay in position.” 

Lewton, a friend of Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter and winner of Second Qualifying Stage at Arcos Gardens, found the Stadium Course tougher going than yesterday’s Tour Course, carding a level par 72 after a 63 in the first round. 

“I was two over after four holes after making two silly bogeys on the 11th and 13th, so I was just trying to hang in there a bit at that point,” he said. “But then the two birdies on 15 and 16 got me going. It was quite difficult judging distances in the wind today, but the main problem was my putting, so I’ll go and work on that on the practice green.”

European Tour School Final Qualifying - Round 2 Leader board

Lewton Takes QS Lead

Northern Ireland’s Damian Mooney started his battle on Sunday on the Tour Course - having not teed off at all on Saturday - and promptly birdied his first hole, the par four tenth, and added another shot at the 13th to move to two under par in a share of 20th place. 

However consecutive bogeys on 15 and 16 left Mooney making the turn level but with more birdies to follow on the 1st and 7th to finish with a 70 and leading the Irish challengers on day one. 

Simon Thornton of Team Ireland resumed play on Sunday three shots to the good - after 12 holes on Saturday – and dropped a shot on his first hole but managed to recover it on the fifteenth with a birdie. But three consecutive bogeys on 16, 17 and 18 saw the 2010 European Tour Rookie drop back to level par after the first round in 59th spot. 

Colm Moriarty ended Saturday playing only nine holes in 2 over par and on resuming on Sunday the Athlone man birdied holes 6 and 7 - to go level. But then a double bogey on the 8th left him back where he had started the day in 104th place but with five more rounds to make right. 

Niall Kearney started his day one over par after twelve holes the previous day and returned to action on Sunday only to drop shots on holes 5, 6 and 8 to finish in 135th place on 4 over par. 

Englishman Steve Lewton fired a flawless seven under par 63 to lead The European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage after a protracted first round in Spain. 

Frost on PGA Catalunya Resort’s Tour Course meant Lewton did not get to tee off on Saturday, but the 27 year old was not caught cold as he fired seven birdies to take a one stroke lead over Jean-François Lucquin and Andrew Tampion. 

“I played steady golf all day, didn’t miss any greens and hardly made any mistakes,” said Lewton. “Any time you do that and you hole a few putts, you’re likely to have a good day. 

“The goal at the start of the day was to keep the bogeys off my card, so it was mission accomplished. I wasn’t really in any trouble, and when I was my putter rescued me. 

“It’s obviously a long week so I’m not going to get too carried away about leading after the first day, but so far, so good. It’s my first time to the Qualifying School Final, but I know what to expect from other guys who have played here before. Both courses are very good, although the Tour course is probably the slightly easier of the two. You’ve obviously got to play well on both to stand any chance of going through, so we’ll probably have a fairer idea of where we are tomorrow. 

“I’ve been playing pretty well for the past six weeks, so I was reasonably confident coming into the week. Obviously winning the Second Stage last week gave me a confidence boost, and I’ve carried that form here with me.” 

Lucquin and Tampion are one stroke back after both players carded six under par rounds of 64 on the Tour Course. 

Frenchman Lucquin, who held off Rory McIlroy in a play-off to win the 2008 Omega European Masters, produced a stunning finish to his opening round, picking up four shots in his final three holes. 

Starting on the tenth tee, Lucquin was two under for his front nine after following a bogey on the 11th with birdies on the 13th, 16th and 18th holes. 

The 31 year old then ignited his round with an eagle on the seventh hole, before ending the day with back-to-back birdies on the eighth and ninth to gather momentum as he seeks an instant return to The European Tour, having finished 139th in The Race to Dubai. 

Australian Tampion is also hoping to bounce straight back on to The European Tour, having finished a lowly 268th on The Race to Dubai in 2010. 

The 26 year old from Melbourne fired nine birdies in his 64, with his only mistake of the day coming when he found the water on the 15th hole – his sixth after also starting on the Tour Course’s tenth tee – to card a double-bogey six. 

He recovered immediately with a hat-trick of birdies, and believes his new-found patience is paying dividends. 

“I didn’t have a good year this year, and my goal was to just go out and give myself as many chances as possible,” said Tampion. “It sounds simple, but if you are hitting 16 or 17 greens then not a lot can go wrong. I had 17 good, realistic birdie chances today and the only green I didn’t I hit was when I put it in the water and made double. 

“I just kept giving myself chances, and then if you don’t hole it you walk on to the next and be patient. It’s a long week, and in these conditions you really do have to be patient. 

“I felt this year I had no momentum. I’d make a birdie then follow it with a bogey. I’ve definitely learned from the experience. I’ve learned more this year than from when I’ve played well. Hopefully it is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I can kick on and win some tournaments like I know I can.” 

There are eight players a further two shots back on four under par after rounds of 66 on the Tour Course. 

That group includes South African Branden Grace, who was buoyed by his maiden professional victory in the Coca Cola Championship hosted by Gary Player in his homeland last month. 

“I managed to pick up birdies on 17 and 18 so it was a nice finish,” said Grace. “I left a couple of shots out there but I’m happy with that start. 

“I’ve got the confidence after getting that first win as a pro and I feel I’m hitting the ball well. The momentum is going with me at the moment and that win over my home course of Fancourt was the ideal preparation for this week.” 

Also on four under par is Welshman Liam Bond, Spaniard Jorge Campillo, Englishman Adam Gee, Argentine Cesar Monasterio, Australian Wade Ormsby and Scottish pair Jack Doherty and Elliot Saltman. 

On the par 72 Stadium Course, which the leaders will tackle on Monday, Sweden’s Jens Dantorp and Denmark’s Thomas Norret carded three under par rounds of 69 to match Australian Rick Kulacz’s overnight clubhouse score. 

Former Ryder Cup player Joakim Haeggman, who recovered from a double bogey seven on the 12th hole, was among a group of nine players on the Stadium Course to sign for a round of 70. 

Leaderboard Day One

Mooney Leads Irish School

The results from the PGA Catalunya Tour Course would suggest it was playing somewhat easier as Andrew Tampion of Scotland and Jean-François Lucquin of France carded five under par rounds of 65 on Sunday to lead day one of the Final Stage of European Tour Qualifying – with up to six players trailing the duo on 4 under - all having also played the same course. 

The best score on the Stadium course remains three under par by Ron Kulacz of Australia and Thomas Norret of Denmark. 

Northern Ireland’s Damian Mooney started his battle on Sunday on the Tour Course - having not teed off at all on Saturday - and promptly birdied his first hole, the par four tenth, and added another shot at the 13th to move to two under par in a share of 20th place. 

However consecutive bogeys on 15 and 16 left Mooney making the turn level but with more birdies to follow on the 1st and 7th to finish with a 70 and leading the Irish challengers on day one. 

Simon Thornton of Team Ireland resumed play on Sunday three shots to the good - after 12 holes on Saturday – and dropped a shot on his first hole but managed to recover it on the fifteenth with a birdie. But three consecutive bogeys on 16, 17 and 18 saw the 2010 European Tour Rookie drop back to level par after the first round in 59th spot.. 

Colm Moriarty of Team Ireland ended Saturday playing only nine holes in 2 over par and on resuming on Sunday the Athlone man birdied holes 6 and 7 - to go level. But then a double bogey on the 8th left him back where he had started the day in 104th place but with five more rounds to make right. 

The third Team Ireland player, Niall Kearney, started his day one over par after twelve holes the previous day and returned to action on Sunday only to drop shots on holes 5, 6 and 8 to finish in 135th place on 4 over par.

PGA Catalunya Leaderboard

Damian Mooney Must Wonder

Damian Mooney entered his third event of the European Tour Qualifying School and once again experienced a weather delay after play on the Tour Course was suspended on Saturday mourning at the PGA Catalunya Golf Resort due to frost. As a result Damian Mooney did not get started on the opening day of Final Qualifying. 

At Dundonald Links in September gale force winds affected play in the first two days of the Stage 1 with played delayed as result and last week at Stage 2 play at Costa Ballena Golf Resort Money also suffered delays when heavy rain force suspension of play. So far it has been a good omen as Mooney finished 2nd in Scotland and 3rd in Jerez last week. 

The frost on Saturday morning on the Tour Course saw play start at midday but then suspended at 13.37hrs due to frozen greens, with the first group having completed only three holes. The news was better on the Stadium Course were play continued with three Irish players, Simon Thornton, Colm Moriarty and Niall Kearney, in action. 

The weather delay now means Qualifying School – Final Stage has been extended to seven days. 

Australian Rick Kulacz made light of the heavy frost to finish on three under par – the same mark as Simon Thornton of Ireland, who completed 12 holes. 

Kulacz squeezed into the top 30 last year courtesy of a stunning closing round of 64 on the Stadium course, and whilst he was unable to reproduce those heroics, the 25 year old was nonetheless pleased with his opening effort. 

Kulacz, who has returned to the Final Stage after finishing in 134th place in The 2010 Race to Dubai, said: 

“I got off to a great start and hit it really well for the first eight holes, but then I started to get cold on the back nine and struggled a bit from tee to green. I was just trying to saving par, and getting up and down without too much damage done. 

"I’m not used to these conditions, especially as it’s really hot in Australia at the moment. So it’s the complete opposite here. I played here last year and in some cold places in Europe this year, so I’m slowly getting used to it. 

“I shot eight under on the final day last year to make it through, which came out of nowhere really as I hadn’t really played well all week, but just got it going on the last day and sneaked in there. It was a pretty tough year though. I didn’t really play well all season, and here I am again. I had a few good starts until April, but I didn’t play well for four rounds in a row, which hurt me in the end. 

"If I’d played better in a couple of those rounds I could’ve been up the money list earlier, which would’ve taken the pressure off. But as soon as we hit Europe in May, I did struggle. I was flying back and forth from Australia, which probably wasn’t ideal, but I do like being at home. Maybe I’d change a few things, but it’s all a learning experience. 

“That last round last year gave me some confidence that I can play well here. I like the courses here. The greens are a lot better on the other course now too, so I’m sure there will be some low scores. It’s such a long week, so it doesn’t matter too much about the first day – you just have to hang in there. 

"It’s a really good start though, because I did battle out there. I got up and down and few times, so a 69 is a good score.” 

Thornton notched three successive birdies from the sixth hole to join Kulacz on three under par, and the Irishman will return at 12pm on Sunday to complete his remaining holes. 

In contrast, the English duo of Daniel Denison and Simon Wakefield, Spaniard Alfredo Garcia-Heredia and Denmark’s Daniel Lokke have the day off, and can relax and put their feet up after completing rounds of 70 to sit in a share of third place on two under par. 

In fast-fading light Denison, who suffered a career-threatening injuries in a car crash in 2007, finished with a three-putt bogey, but was keen to accentuate the positives. 

He said: “It was a good day. Obviously it was frustrating to finish with a bogey, but conditions were quite tough towards the end, because it was getting colder and the light was starting to fade. So overall I have to be pleased with a 70, especially as it’s probably the harder of the two courses. 

“It’ll feel quite strange to have a day off tomorrow, but I’m sure I’ll pass the time by watching the football on TV, or some DVDs. I’m sharing a villa with Simon Wakefield and Charlie Ford and they both played well today, so it should be a happy house tonight!” 

Wakefield kept the bogeys off his card in a round of 70 which included birdies at the fifth and 12th holes. 

He said: “It was an enjoyable day once we got out there. Obviously the delays weren’t ideal, but that’s part and parcel of golf. Both courses are a good test of golf but the Stadium is probably the harder of the two, so to shoot 70 and not make any bogeys was pretty pleasing. 

“I had to pull out of Q School last year because I went down with pleurisy and swine flu, which knocked me back a bit so I had to play on the Challenge Tour this season. I should’ve taken more time off to recover fully and get my fitness back, but that’s easier said than done. 

“So I struggled a bit at the start of the season, and the standard on the Challenge Tour is almost as good as The European Tour these days. I didn’t really do myself justice, but everything happens for a reason and it’s made me more determined to get back onto the main Tour. So that’s why I’m here. 

“I’ve been over in the States with my coach, and it went well. I played well at the Second Stage last week and was delighted to come through that, so I feel good about my game at the moment. I hit some great shots out there today, and it bodes well for the rest of the week.” 

Lokke and Garcia-Heredia mixed five birdies with three bogeys in their respective rounds of 70, whilst two-time European Tour champion and 2007 Omega Mission Hills World Cup winner Marc Warren signed for a respectable round of 72. 

Warren said: “It was a really solid start. I hit a lot of really good iron shots, and holed a lot of good putts. I also burned the edges of the holes a lot today, but that’s just the way it goes some time. So I’m really pleased with the start I’ve made. 

“There was obviously some disruption this morning, and I’d pretty much finished my routine when they announced the delay, so just had to kill time. I felt a wee bit out of my rhythm at the start, but once we settled in I hit it better. It’s a bit strange to have the day off tomorrow, but I’ll just hit a few balls on the range and continue the changes I’ve been working on lately.” 

Niall Kearney was one over par through twelve holes with a colourful card - four bogeys and four pars, to which the Dubliner added an eagle on the par four 12th and a birdie on the 15th. 

Colm Moriarty played nine holes in 2 over par before light stopped play. 

Final Stage Leader board