European Tour Qualifying Roundup

Adrian Otaegui, Daniel Im and Urich Van Den Berg proved the international flavour of the European Tour by all finishing tied for first place in the Final Qualifying Stage at PGA Catalunya.

Otaegui is from Spain, Im is an American and Van Den Berg is from South Africa - they all finished on 418, 18 under par, after six gruelling rounds that determined the immediate futures of a host of players, some who will be playing on the main tour for the first time, others who have been there, lost their cards and have now won the right to head back out and compete with the finest players in Europe.

There were 25 cards on offer, but a total of 27 were actually handed out because four players were tied in 24th place on seven under par, including Edoardo Molinari, the former Ryder Cup player, who recovered from a dreadful second round of 77 to regain his playing rights by the skin of his teeth. Not that he will be concerned. All that will matter to him is that he can still play at the highest level.

Among the qualifiers with extensive European Tour experience are Ross McGowan, who made it through in fourth place despite a final round of 74, David Dixon, Jean Hugo, Richard McEvoy, Stuart Manley and Richard McEvoy. Ten of the qualifiers are English - McGowan, McEvoy, Matt Southgate, Daniel Givens, Dixon, James Robinson, Ryan Evans, Richard Finch, Laurie Canter and Chris Hanson.

For Southgate, the achievement means something extra special. The 27-year-old, from Essex, was diagnosed with testicular cancer earlier this year and had to undergo surgery in July. At the same time, his two-year-old niece has been battling leukaemia.

“It’s been a really tough year this year for me and my family so it means the world to go home with a card. It was great to have made the cut[which came after 72 holes]  having come from First Stage, just to have done that and be back playing again is fantastic.

“I’ll definitely be having a bit of a celebration. Going home with a card it would be the ultimate.

“I think a lot of golfers would understand it – your health and your family and all of those things in your life are just like golf. Things don’t go your way all the time, sometimes you do have a double or you do have to chip it out.

“That’s really where I feel like I’m at with my little life – I feel like I’ve had to hack it out sideways and start again. Somehow I’ve managed to get it back on track and I’m incredibly lucky for that.

Among the qualifiers is Paul Dunne, who led The Open as an amateur after three rounds. The Irishman had a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders because he is so highly rated, and although he didn't have his best game with him in Spain, it is a sign of his quality that he was able to get through what is surely the toughest ordeal any aspiring tournament professional ever has to face.

Matthew Fitzpatrick came through final qualifying 12 months ago and has enjoyed a stellar season - it would be no surprise to see Dunne achieving the same thing in his maiden season.

Some big names failed to get through, including Michael Jonzon, Mark Foster, Kenneth Ferrie and Damien McGrane.

Those who have won their cards are:

• Adrian Otaegui (Spain)
• Daniel Im (USA)
• Urich Van Den Berg (SA)
• Jean Hugo (SA)
• Ross McGowan (Eng)
• Matthew Southgate (Eng)
• Daniel Givens (Eng)
• Jason Scrivener (Aus)
• Justin Walters (SA)
• David Dixon (Eng)
• Lasse Jensen (Den)
• Richard McEvoy (Eng)
• Stuart Manley (Wal)
• James Robinson (Eng)
• Paul Dunne (Ire)
• Marcus Kinhult (Swe)
• Francesco Laporta (Ita)
• Jason Knutzon (USA)
• Ryan Evans (Eng)
• Nino Bertasio (Ita)
• Laurie Canter (Eng)
• Richard Finch (Eng)
• Clement Berardo (Fra)
• Edoaro Molinari (Ita)
• Lukas Nemecz (Aut)
• Nicolo Ravano (Ita)
• Chris Hanson (Eng)

We wish them all well as they set off to follow their dreams.