A total of 39 players successfully progressed through The European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque and over the next few days we bring you a short introduction to the class of 2004.
1. Peter Gustafsson
Finished the 2004 Challenge Tour season in arguably the most frustrating position on the Rankings - 16th, which meant he missed his European Tour Card by just one place. Recovered from that setback brilliantly to win the 2004 Qualifying School Finals by three strokes from England's Simon Wakefield. Became fascinated with golf when he was delivering newspapers to his local club, Orust GC, and decided to take the game up. His career was interrupted by sciatica in 2001, but he climbed his way back to the top through European golf's Three Tier System - coming from the Nordic League, to the Challenge Tour and now to The European Tour where he will be instantly recognisable on the course due to his love of multi-coloured sun hats.
"The Finals have been a great tournament this season because of the courses that they were played on. I really believe the best players have qualified because the two courses at San Roque are a great test and you cannot be lucky over the six rounds there. To have the card is potentially life changing for me - especially after finishing 16th on the Challenge Tour, which I think made a lot of people discount me."
Claimed the second card at the 2004 Qualifying School Finals to make an immediate return to The European Tour after narrowly losing his card at the end of the season in which he finished in 118th place on the Volvo Order of Merit. But with encouragement from his ISM stablemates Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke, he bounced back in style. Comes from a talented sporting family with his uncle Bob Taylor, the former England Test wicketkeeper. Took up the game at the age of 15 when his dad asked what he wanted for his birthday. The answer was a set of clubs. Came down from 26 to 12 handicap in first season and scratch at 17. Won several Staffordshire amateur titles before turning professional. Enjoys music and his great love, Port Vale Football Club.
"I believed within myself that I was good enough to get a card from this week and I think the disappointments of this year, to have two weeks off, pick yourself up and come and do it this week is a big step for me. I knew my game was good enough but it was whether my mental side would hold out. You have to be physically fit and mentally fit to play golf but I think you need to be more mentally fit this week. Having experienced what I have this week will make me a better player."
Started playing in his native Brittany at 12 years old after watching the Open Championship on television and deciding that was what he wanted to do. Father and mother both play and father, Patrick, once played for the French national football team. Coach is Patrice Amadieu and his amateur highlights included playing for France for three years and being the French Amateur Champion in 2001. Turned professional on entering that year's Qualifying School but missed the four round cut by a stroke. Spent 2002 on the Challenge Tour but finished 39th on the Rankings. Won the 19th card at that year's Qualifying School Finals. Finished 160th on the Volvo Order of Merit in 2003 but again came through the Qualifying School and did so again in 2004.
"I have been here three times before 2004 and got my card twice, so it has been good to me over the years. The two courses we have played this year have been good for me as well because they are long and my long game has been the best part of my game this year. It means a lot to me to have finished third because the higher you finish, the more chances you can get to play on Tour next year."
4. Francesco Molinari
Comes from a golfing family and at aged eight years joined parents and grandparents to play at Circolo Golf Torino and is now coached by the club's professional Sergio Bertaina who has been one of the biggest influences on his career to date. Following a successful amateur career, Molinari turned professional following Stage One of the 2004 Qualifying School and progressed through Stage Two to the Finals at San Roque where he followed a first round 79 with five rounds under par to secure the fourth card and his playing privileges for 2005. Supports Inter Milan, also plays football and snowboards in the winter.
"It's been very tiring starting from Stage One, but this is a dream come true for sure. This has been my goal for the past two or three years. It's a different set-up as I've been used to playing in amateur events, but everything has been very well arranged."
The former Welsh Amateur Champion and Walker Cup player gained his European Tour card at his second attempt having missed the cut in the Finals in 2003, the year he turned professional. Began playing aged ten at Mountain Ash Golf Club in South Wales with his dad, David. Could have been a footballer as had trials at 16 with Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Luton. Chose a career in golf, starting a four year scholarship at West Florida University in 1998 which was nearly cut short when he broke a knuckle on his right hand in a fall running down a mountain in his native Wales two days before returning to the States for the second semester. Biggest influences on his career to date are Nigel Edwards, his Walker Cup foursomes partner and fellow Welshman Marcus Wills who played on The European Tour in 1994 and 1996. Coached by Darren Clark, the head professional at Mountain Ash GC.
"This has been really challenging - you have to think about every shot. I came to the Finals last year for the first time since turning professional but missed the cut, so I'm delighted to have gone one better this time."
