Simon McCarthy got himself off the hook to finish as leading qualifier in the European Tour Qualifying School Stage One at Five Lakes then left for a spot of fishing.
A closing 69 for 276, 12 under par, saw the 25-year-old left-hander from Devon finish three strokes clear of his nearest challenger, Suffolk-based Jon Bevan and five ahead of Sweden’s Peter Grimfjord and Oscar Serna from Mexico.
Although McCarthy went into the final round two shots clear, his lead disappeared with a poor start. “I three-putted the first for bogey then just salvaged pars at the next few holes,” he said.
“The turning point came at the sixth even though my nine-iron approach wasn’t great, finishing 50 feet away. But I holed that for birdie and that always eases the nerves.”
At the ninth he did well to get up-and-down from a bunker to save par to be out in level-par 36. But the inward half was completely different.
“I had a solid back nine,” he added. “I birdied the 11th, 13th and 15th and hit one poor shot when I missed the green at 17. But even then I managed to pitch to six feet and holed it for par.
“It’s nice to finish top but the main thing is to qualify. If you had offered me the 27th and final qualifying place at the start of the week I’d have taken it. Now I’m driving back to Devon to spend the weekend fishing. I’m going to give the carp a run for their money.”
Bevan, who knows the Five Lakes course well, closed with 70 for 279 and second place. It is the third time he has qualified from Five Lakes and he said: “I can play a bit around here.”
A total of 29 players on two-under-par 286 or better qualified for the second stage in Spain in November including Irishman Richard Coughlan, who dug deep to claim a place.
The ex-Walker Cup man went into the final day on two over par but staged a remarkable recovery with six birdies in a 67 to qualify on three-under 285.
Two amateurs also made it, Matthew King from Lincolnshire on 284 and Iceland’s Olafur Sigurdsson on 285.
At Chart Hills 24-year-old Benn Barham from Ashford, Kent and attached to the Host Club
Finished top qualifier by four strokes strokes from Simon Vale from Whittington Heath.
Barham said "I got off to a great start birdieing first, third, and fifth, and despite three putting seven and 13 I played confidently. I am looking forward to the next stage at Emporda perhaps where I have qualified before on the mark."
Damien Mooney from Laganview, N. Ire., qualified on the mark despite bogeying his last hole for 69 (3 under) to make up the most ground. 30 players in total qualified on level par or better on a calm and sunny day after some early drizzle.
At Wynyard England's Andrew Marshall finished top ahead of Scottish amateur Graham Fox while another amateur, Jamie Donaldson from Wales, finished top of the class at Carden Park.
Carden Park - Final Results
Chart Hills - Final Results
Five Lakes - Final Results
Wynyard Club - Final Results
