Our series looking at the class of 2004 continues with a look at the players who finished 26th to 30th at The European Tour Qualifying School who will be striving to make their mark on The 2005 European Tour International Schedule.
26. Sam Little
Started playing aged nine with his father and brother Jamie, also a professional on the Challenge Tour, at their local course in Bushey, Hertfordshire. His golfing ambitions were strengthened at 13 when he had the opportunity of playing with his hero, Nick Faldo. Represented England in 1996 and 1997 prior to turning professional. Has competed on the Challenge Tour since 1999 and finished just outside the top 15 at the end of the 2004 season. Tried on six previous occasions to gain his card via the Qualifying School process, the first time as an amateur in 1995. He made the Finals in 2002 and 2003, making it third time lucky in 2004, securing the 27th card. Coached by Peter Mitchell. A self confessed West Ham fanatic, plays the occasional game of five-a-side football.
"It's been a long hard week. You have to fight for every shot. Mentally it's been tough compared to previous years and the wind made conditions challenging. I was lying in 15th place on the Challenge Tour Rankings with one event to go, so it's great to get my card and that is why we play the game."
Finished 163rd on the European Tour Order of Merit in 2004 but regained his playing privileges for the 2005 season when he took the 27th card on offer from the Qualifying School Finals at San Roque. Born in Zimbabwe and lives in South Africa but, as the name suggests, comes from strong Scottish stock. Parents, Ron and Mary, are from Helensburgh in the West of Scotland. Still has relatives in Scotland and visits once a year. Twice an Eisenhower Trophy player as an amateur, qualified for, and made the cut in, the 1998 Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale, finishing 72nd. Won card at 1998 Qualifying School with Sam Frost - brother of top South African pro, David - caddieing. Proved himself to be a useful competitor in his rookie season, finishing 84th on the Order of Merit in 1999.
"I know this is a week that most of the guys don't want to have to come to but I suppose I am a little different as I was looking forward to coming as I lost all my playing status in America and so I wanted to come here and it is refreshing to be given the chance to play in Europe again and regenerate my career on The European Tour.”
Rejoins The European Tour having come through the Qualifying School process. Has now qualified for The European Tour through the Qualifying School on three occasions - 1991, 1992 and 2004 - and twice through the Challenge Tour - in 2001 and 2003, the latter in eighth place after a good year where his best performance was finishing second, two shots behind Darren Clarke in the Benmore Developments Northern Ireland Masters. Played 29 times on The 2004 European Tour International Schedule with his best finish being tied 26th in the Omega European Masters in September. Finished the year in 149th place on the Order of Merit.
"It is a very difficult week because not only are you playing for next year's ticket which adds a lot of pressure, I think the unusual part of the whole equation is that you are playing six rounds. Your psychology has to be that the fifth and sixth rounds are your third and fourth rounds effectively. Every shot is very important. Everybody who has played the game wants to be playing at the very highest level and in our case, that is The European Tour. It has improved tremendously since I started playing back in 1992 and everyone wants to be part of that.”
Robertson's rehabilitation from a depressive illness was completed when he successfully negotiated the Qualifying School Finals to make a welcome return to The European Tour for the 2005 season. When he won the 1999 Italian Open he was riding the crest of a wave and went on to play alongside Colin Montgomerie in the World Cup at the end of the most successful season of his career since turning professional in 1994. But the Scot fell ill on return from Far East with mystery virus. Out of action for four months. Missed much of the 2002 and 2003 seasons but returned on a medical exemption in 2004. Although he finished outside the top 115 he ensured he would be back in 2005 after claiming the 29th card at San Roque.
"We know what is at stake for everybody but I enjoyed it in a strange way. Having been out and coming back, it felt like I was in contention for a tournament. It has been a long time since I felt tension like that and I am glad that I felt it because it will stand me in good stead for the coming year because I will have starts and I am excited about those and am looking forward to competing again on The European Tour."
Despite six top ten finishes on the 2004 Challenge Tour, the overall strength of the Tour meant it was good enough only for 26th place on the final Rankings. Nevertheless, the Frenchman went to the Qualifying School Finals and guaranteed his playing privileges for The 2005 season when he finished in 30th place. Started golf at the tender age of four with the encouragement of his golf-loving family. The family interest in the sport is maintained by cousin Nicolas Beaufils who is also a professional and plays on the Challenge Tour. Another cousin has represented France in equestrianism. Enjoys going to the cinema and watching all sports, as well as playing tennis, badminton and squash. Coached by Olivier Leglise near Biarritz.
“At the beginning of the week I felt a lot of pressure but I felt better the longer the week went on and I cannot wait to play full time on The European Tour. French golf has enjoyed a lot of good times recently, with Thomas Levet winning at Loch Lomond and playing in the Ryder Cup and guys like Christian Cévaër, Philippe Lima and Jean-Francois Remesy also winning on Tour this year. I want the chance to be part of that.”
