FORSYTH ABD DOHERTY JUST GAIN
EURO CARDS AFTER NERVY FINISH
Jack Doherty and Alastair Forsyth fought off last-day nerves but only just made it among the leading 25 and ties who gained playing rights in 2014 at the European Tour Final Qualifying School at PGA Catalunya near Girona in north-east Spain.
For the two other Scots in the last-day mix - Andrew McArthur and Doug McGuigan - there was only disappointment that they failed by two and three shots respectively after 108 holes of golf in a pressure-cooker situation.
Doherty and Forsyth both finished on the limit qualifying mark of nine-under-par 419 to figure among the 27 who will be promoted to the top grade.
Doherty signed off with a one-under-par 71 over the Stadium Course. A double bogey 6 - his third in three days - at the ninth put him under pressure. His fourth and last birdie, at the long 12th, meant he had to cover the last six holes in no higher than one-over-par ... which he did with a bogey at the 14th and four nervy pars over the last four holes.
Forsyth's early good work in the six-round marathon stood him in good stead when the wheels came off - comparatively - with a two-over-par 74 in the final round. He had three double bogey 6s: at the fourth, ninth and 14th.
But he also had five birdies and that enabled him to stand on the 18th tee, knowing he could afford to bogey it - which he did - and still make the grade.
McArthur totalled 421 - two shots too many - and finished joint 31st from a starting field of 156. A good effort but not quite good enough. He finished with a one-under-par 71.
McGuide matched the par of 72 - his highest score of the week - on the last circuit to finish joint 37th on 422.
ends
Published by scottishgolfview.com