The New Year is almost with us and 35 graduates from The European Tour Qualifying School will be champing at the bit in anticipation of getting their year underway. Many are new faces to The European Tour and today we introduce you to players who finished 11th to 15th at the Tour School as they prepare for a new season on The European Tour International Schedule.
11. Daniel Gaunt
A contemporary of Adam Scott, Gaunt is another promising golfer to emerge from Down Under. Brother, Chris, is also a professional golfer competing on the Australasian Tour. Indeed, it was his brother and father who first introduced him to the game at the age of ten. Turned to golf at that age after turning his back on Aussie Rules Football. A promising tennis player, he would have considered playing tennis professionally if golf had not worked out. Self taught from the word go.
"This is awesome. I couldn't have dreamed of a better week. The European Tour is huge and to get my card is a dream come true. Now it’’s time to mix it with the best."
12. Per Nyman
Became the second successive Swede to win The European Tour Qualifying School Finals in 2002, following in the footsteps of Johan Skold. The 2003 season looked promising when he finished in the top 20 in his first three events to move to 16th on the Volvo Order of Merit. But struggled to reproduce that form for the rest of the season and eventually ended the year in 167th place but regained his card via the Tour School. Took up the game at the age of eight, following his father to the local course and watching him play. Initially, his biggest interest was in collecting tees but soon became proficient at the game. However he is still an avid collector of golf tees and goes by the nickname of 'Peggen' - the word for tee in Swedish. Second on Challenge Tour in 1998 with €52,074 (£37,196). Kept his card in 1999 helped by a best-of-the-year finish of fifth in the Scottish PGA Championship but lost it in 2001 and played on the Challenge Tour in 2002.
“I didn't manage to win so not quite as good as last year. Obviously disappointed to come back here but delighted to get my card back again so I can look forward to another season at the highest level. It's where we all want to be.”
13. Steven O’’Hara
Found an old set of clubs in his garden shed at the age of eight, during the week of the Open Golf Championship and decided to take up the game. His father and two brothers all play, with his younger brother Paul also an exceptional talent with a handicap of plus one, aged just 17. Coached by Ian Rae, O’’Hara was the Scottish Amateur Champion in 2000, won the 2001 St Andrews Links Trophy and played in the Eisenhower Trophy for Scotland in 2000 - before representing Great Britain and Ireland in the team's 2001 Walker Cup victory.
"I found the Qualifying School a really tiring experience. I'd become used to playing four round tournaments on the Challenge Tour, but the extra two rounds at the end of the week really take it out of you. Plus you have to consider how much pressure there is on everyone - you can feel the tension among the players more than you can during normal weeks of the season."
14. Francois Delamontagne
Started playing in his native Brittany at 12 years of age after watching the Open Golf Championship on television. 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, his best performance coming in the Golf Montecchia tournament in Italy where he finished runner-up. 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 at Emporda after finishing 14th.
“It's a long day, a long week but ultimately I am pleased to get back on Tour with a better card than last year. I learned a lot in my rookie season which will help me out next year so hopefully I can get off to a good start. We all want to play on the main Tour and I think I am better equipped this time around.”
15. David Dixon
Started playing aged 12 at Enmore Park Golf Club. Inspired in his early years by Nick Faldo. Amateur highlights included playing for England, winning the Lytham Trophy and the South African Amateur Championship and winning the Silver Medal as leading amateur in the 130th Open Golf Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2001. Turned professional later that year and entered the Qualifying School but did not come through. A member of Andrew Chandler's ISM stable, 'Chubby' employed experienced Tour caddie Andy Blaydon to work with Dixon during the Qualifying School week in 2002 and the liaison paid off. Also works with psychologist PJ Stevens.
“It was the 61 in the fifth round which helped get me through. I thought a 59 was on the cards at the time but 61 is pretty good. It was just the right time to shoot a really low round and put myself in a great position to get a good card. Hopefully I can continue that form on The European Tour next year.”
