Philip Walton, still revered in Ireland as the man who clinched The Ryder Cup for Europe at Oak Hill in 1995, rediscovered some of that old magic at Emporda Golf Club in Spain with a dazzling last round 65 to keep alive his hopes of regaining his European Tour card in 2007.
The 44 year old Irishman, a professional since 1983, hauled himself up into a share of tenth place behind Swede Magnus A Carlsson to claim one of the 20 places available from The European Tour Qualifying School – Second Qualifying Stage. Walton, in common with all the 79 qualifiers from the four Spanish venues, will contest the Final Stage at San Roque Club from November 9-14. Carlsson closed with a 66 for a 12 under par total of 268, six better than Walton.
There were celebrations in Finland, as that country provided winners at two venues. Amateur Anntti Ahokas closed with a 68 to win at Costa Ballena with a 15 under par total of 273 while 24 year old Roope Kakko won at PGA Catalunya with a final 66 for5 266, 18 under par and an eight shot victory. Coincidentally, Kakko was also successful as an amateur, winning the Volvo Finnish Open on the Challenge Tour in 2004.
American Notah Begay III, a winner on the US PGA Tour, survived to the Final Stage after a play-off at Costa Ballena as seven players played off for four places.
Australian Andrew Tampion led the 19 qualifiers at Sherry Golf with a final round of 71 for a ten under par total of 278 and a two shot win over England’s Steve Surry.
Final Resultsfrom Emporda Golf Club
Final Resultsfrom PGA Golf de Catalunya
Final Resultsfrom Costa Ballena
Final Resultsfrom Sherry Golf Jerez
