Part three of our introduction to the class 2004 who, having successfully negotiated The European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque, will face the next examination on The 2005 European Tour International Schedule.
11. Pelle Edberg
Born, quite literally, on a golf course - the Edberg family hotel at Jönköping boasts two courses - he dabbled with the game as a three year old toddler with his father, Stefan, and brother, Hans, who is also his coach and has been the biggest influence on his career to date. Turned professional in 1997 and has entered the Qualifying School each year since 1998, eventually making the Finals at the seventh attempt in 2004, succeeding with a six round total of one under par 433 to take the 11th card. In the winter enjoys playing 'indoor floorball' - a game not dissimilar to hockey.
"I have been trying to qualify for a few years and this is my first time at the Finals. This is a good test of golf and only the best players get through here. Getting my card will open up more opportunities to play and secure sponsorship."
Opened the 2004 Qualifying School Finals with a seven over par 79, but went onto take the 12th available Card thanks to an unbelievable second round 61 - recorded only two days after turning professional. Spent his amateur years in America where he completed an International Business degree at the University of Alabama before concentrating on joining The European Tour. A keen skier, he is coached by Thor Bockmann and lists European Number One Ernie Els among his sporting idols.
"I came through all three stages of the Qualifying School and to be honest I thought that the first was the toughest of them all. Perhaps that was because I was so new to everything that I felt extra pressure but in the Finals I just played at my best and enjoyed it. It means a lot to me to get my Tour card so early because it has always been a dream of mine."
Turned professional in 1996 and secured his Tour card at that year's Qualifying School, finishing eighth. But he lost it the following year then moved on to the Challenge Tour in 1998, finishing 123rd. In 1999 he achieved six Challenge Tour top ten finishes and secured a return to The European Tour with eighth place in the First Cuba Grand Final. Lost his playing privileges in 2000 but made amends in 2001 when he won the Qualifying School but again lost his card. Unsuccessful visits in 2002 and 2003 followed but in November 2004, he successfully negotiated the six round examination for the third time,finishing 13th.
"I'm happy the School is here at these two courses - they're a good test and you can't just expect to play well. I haven't had a card for two years so this means a lot to me. The Challenge Tour gets better and better, but The European Tour is where you need to be to earn money."
A winner of three European Tour titles, Strüver regained his card after a year in the wilderness having lost his playing privileges at the end of 2003 for the first time since joining the Tour in 1992. Although he received a number of invitations in 2004 and notched up one top ten, he was forced to return to the Qualifying School Finals where he claimed the 14th card. Claimed his first title when he won the 1996 Alfred Dunhill South African PGA Championship and won in each of the next two seasons. Son of Hamburg professional, Jochen. His uncle, Henning, also teaches the game. Had first handicap at the age of eight and came to prominence in the 1989 German Open, shooting 62 while on leave from his military service. Puts his success down to German ethic for hard work! Credits Bernhard Langer for being a big help. Spent many days as a house guest of Langer and skills and etiquette rubbed off.
"This is probably one of the worst tournaments you can play! It is different being in contention for a card than being in contention for a normal tournament, you have a lot of time to think about what is at stake here. We all know that a whole season depends on just this one tournament and it is so different from a normal tournament. You have to take it shot by shot but it is hard to be focused over six rounds. If I didn't want to get back onto the Tour, I wouldn't have come here, simple as that."
Finished 168th on the 2004 Volvo Order of Merit but successfully gained his playing privileges for 2005 when he came through the Qualifying School. Also gained his card through the School in 2002 and through the Challenge Tour Rankings in 2003. Started playing at the age of 12 when his father took him to a field near Leeds to hit some balls. Later went to the local municipal club. Grandfather, Fred Mason, was a coach and scout for Leeds United FC in the 1950s and Ben follows the team avidly. Peter Tupling, professional at his club, Sand Moor, was earliest influence but now coached by Gareth Benson. Won 19 caps for England as an amateur.
"I will tell you what I think of the Qualifying School Finals - I don't want to come back! Hopefully I won't have to come back because I have learned a lot in the past two years and I feel that I have improved a lot in those two years and now I have given myself the chance to show that. I think I am ready to show that improvement to prove that I can succeed at the highest level."
