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.
The torturous qualifying school process can often be as painful as an initiation ceremony on the Howe of Fife rugby team bus but seven 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.
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