THE long road to the European Tour still has a few more twists turns and bumps yet but a number of Scots are successfully navigating the route so far, writes Nick Rodger.
The torturous qualifying school process can often be as painful as an initiation ceremony on the Howe of Fife rugby team bus but five Scots last night passed the second round test in Spain and will plough on to the gruelling six-round final examination this weekend.
Bearsden’s Ewen Ferguson, the former Walker Cup player, had a few shots to spare at El Saler having opened up a three shot lead after 54-holes and his three-over closing round of 75 did no damage at all.
The former British Boys’ champion finished in second place behind eventual winner Ricardo Gonzalez and comfortably claimed one of the 21 qualifying places on offer. It’s all about getting the job done in this grim battle. Motherwell’s Ross Kellett also gave himself another chance to make the step up to the main tour as he eased through on a 285 after a 71 at El Saler.
At Las Colinas, David Law, the former Scottish Amateur champion, progressed in a share of third with a 15-under 269.
The Aberdonian, who gave himself a sturdy foundation to build upon with an opening 63, signed off with a 68 to make the grade.
Fife’s Connor Syme, who made the cut in his first three professional events on the European Tour on invitations, showed his qualities as he claimed a final place with a 68 for a 275.
That left him two shots ahead of the former European Tour player, Chris Doak, who posted a 69 to seal a tee-time for the 108-hole final which starts this weekend.
There was more encouraging news on the rookie professional front as Oban’s Robert MacIntyre barged his way into the qualifying places at Desert Springs.
The Glencruitten left-hander, who won on the MENA Tour in Kuwait recently in just his second outing as a pro, surged home with a six-under 66 for a nine-under 279 as he finished in a tie for 13th and safely inside a top 22 spot needed to progress.
Clydebank’s Scott Henry, who endured a largely miserable year back on the European Tour and lost his full playing rights, kept his hopes of regaining his place at the top table alive with a 70 which left him perched alongside MacIntyre on a nine-under aggregate.
At the Panoramica venue, play will finish today after high winds forced a delay on Sunday.
Troon’s former Walker Cup player Michael Stewart has ground to make up in the final round and was sitting five shots outside the current qualifying mark going into the last 18 holes.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here