Qualifying School Latest

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

SOME may suggest that it is time Robert Coles and Richard McEvoy took the hint and found some other way to make a living. Both men have had to return to the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage more times than they would care to admit, having failed to retain their card at the end of the regular season.

But McEvoy has regained his card in three of his past four visits while Coles has done so four times. And the pair found themselves sharing the lead after 36 holes at PGA Catalunya Resort.

McEvoy followed a seven under par first round on the Tour Course with an equally impressive three under par score of 69 on the tricky Stadium Course. The 37 year old carded four birdies in northern Spain to set the clubhouse lead at 10 under par, but was caught by Coles who had four birdies and an eagle in a round of 68. But both men knew there was still a long, long way to go - this event is staged over a marathon six rounds.

"I’m delighted with my position,” said Coles. “Four rounds to go is an awfully long way, but it’s a great start and it was nice to be able to play well on the tougher course today. I don’t know if my experience here is serving me too well, because I haven’t got great memories round here – it’s fine when you can use your experiences that are positive but not the experiences that are negative, so I’ve just got to make sure I use the good stuff.

“There’s a lot of things that are keeping me going and wanting to keep doing this. When you play a couple of big events, you really see how good it is and that’s where you want to play. You want to play your best at the best level you can, so that’s the reason for being here is because you want to get to that level. It's a long week and it’s tough, but it’s worth it because of what’s there at the end.

“Do I feel I have the game to keep playing at that level? Sometimes you doubt yourself. Someone said that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, so you’ve always got to bear that in mind, and while you’re physically able and mentally able you’ve got to try.

“Patience is essential. It’s six days and you virtually play golf at exactly the same time every single day, you practise after, you practise before, you go for dinner, it’s the same routine every day."

One off the lead after 36 holes was Germany’s Christian Braeunig. The 24 year old, who has come through both First and Second Stage of Q-School this year, shot a three under par round of 67 to reach nine under par overall – where he was joined by England’s Aaron Rai after an excellent 67 on the more demanding Stadium Course.

Two shots behind was former Ryder Cup player Edoardo Molinari, who continued his good form in Girona with his second four under par round in two days.

Some well-known players are playing for their futures at Catalunya. Johan Edfors was disqualified and is heading home. Eddie Pepperell was six adrift after two rounds of 69, tied with Tom Lewis and Steve Webster. Further down the field, and in need of inspiration, were Alvaro Quiros (142),  former PGA champion Y E Yang (142), Richard Finch (143), Rhys Davies (143) and Brett Rumford (148). Tour school is no repsecter of reputations.