The first hurdle in the Qualifying School marathon has been cleared with 194 players now bearing down on the Second Stage to be held across Spain in December.

Another 72 hole test awaits an estimated 310 players, spread over four courses in Spain from December 2-5, before approximately 80 of the best progress to the Final Stage, and the ultimate six-round examination at PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona, Spain. At stake is a place on The 2012 European Tour for the cream of the crop.

A record 777 players, an increase of 10% on last year and one more than the previous high of 776 in 2008, competed in The European Tour Qualifying School First Stage over the past four weeks with 194 players, including 14 amateurs, qualifying to the Second Stage.

While the First Stage took in venues in Austria, England, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Scotland, all four of the Second Stage Sections will take place in Spain - at Costa Ballena Ocean Club in Jerez, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club in Alicante, El Valle Golf Resort in Murcia and La Manga Club at Cartagena.

For those 80 or so who make it through the Second Stage, a gruelling 108-hole test under the most intense pressure awaits, with every player eyeing a place among the top 30 to secure a coveted European Tour card.

The leading 30 players plus ties at the Final Stage will become eligible for Category 11 Membership of The European Tour, while players who finish below 30th place will be eligible for Category 14 Membership of the European Tour and Category 7 Membership of the Challenge Tour for the following season.

Players who miss the cut at the Final Stage will be eligible for Category 12 Membership of the Challenge Tour for the 2012 season.

American Josh Habig was one of the three winners of Section A, coming out as the best of 30 qualifiers in Ebreichsdorf, Austria, on September 13-16 while Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell and Englishman Darren Wright were the joint winners at the Dundonald Links in Scotland that very weekend, where 15 qualified.

A week later, Steven Uzzell of England headed 27 qualifiers at Wychwood Park in England in Section B while Denmark’s Christoffer Lange topped the leaderboard at Fleesensee G & CC in Germany, where 22 progressed.

Andreas Högbert of Sweden emerged victorious at Golf d'Hardelot in France, where 21 made it through, and Finland’s Jaakko Makitalo led the 26 other Section C qualifiers from Circolo Golf, Bogogno, Italy.

South African McGuigan was the winner as 26 qualified from Ribagolfe, in Portugal, and England’s Whitnell then emerged as winner from Section D at Frilford Heath, in England last Friday as 27 qualifiers completed the field for Stage Two at the beginning of December.

The First Stage featured two new courses on the schedule, with the Tom Simpson-designed Les Pins at Golf d'Hardelot and the Red Course at Frilford Heath, designed by JH Taylor, proving outstanding venues.

See related items above for the full list of qualifiers...