WATERFORD’S KEVIN PHELAN will hitch his golfing wagon to the European Tour next year after securing a top 25 finish at qualification school in Spain.
Phelan recorded a six round total of -10 at the PGA Catalunya Resort to finish joint 17th and earn his tour card for 2014. Playing today on the Stadium Course, the 23-year-old signed off with a three under round of 69.
Phelan began his afternoon with three birdies in the opening four holes before a bogey on five slowed momentum. Six pars followed before he dropped a birdie putt on the par five 12th.
Bogeys on 13 and 14 put the Deise native in danger of missing out on the required top 25 finish but he rallied well over the closing stretch. The fine iron approach to the par five 15th set up another birdie chance that Phelan grasped.
A par on the last would have sufficed but Phelan went one better with a closing birdie. Following his round, he tweeted:
Credit: @KPhelanDeise
Qualifying for next year’s European Tour circuit has topped off a fine year for the young golfer, who grew up, and attended university, in Florida. He tied for 62nd at the US Open and represented Ireland in the Walker Cup.
The news was not so good for Ruaidhri McGee and David Higgins, who finished down the field. The duo must console themselves with spots on the Challenge Tour. Spanish golfer Carlos Del Moral was the runaway winner of ‘Q School’ with a six-round total of -26.
