Kentish Express Ashford & District
Harper keeps alive Euro dreams with 25ft putt
Golf
Liam Harper rolled in a 25-foot putt with his final shot to keep his bid for a first European Tour card on track.
The 22-year-old Ashford professional’s bid to get past the first stage of Qualifying School, after just missing out the year before, went to the wire at Collingtree Park in Northampton last month.
He ended with a 71 for a four-round-total of 286, finishing tied 18th, securing the penultimate qualifying berth, ahead of Jordan Wrisdale from Lincolnshire.
Harper said: “The weather made disrupted week.
“There were a lot of delays due to rain and thunderstorms, which meant I played 31
it a holes on one day and 26 holes the next. The top 23 and ties went through and it went right to the last.”
Harper tees off at Caceras in Spain today (Thursday) in the latest Alps Tour event, the first of three tournaments ahead of his return to Spain early next month to compete in the second stage of Qualifying School.
Harper missed the cut on his last visit before finishing 45th and 18th in his two latest events in France.
He flew to Madrid on Monday and plans to snatch a few days back home in Kent with trips to Italy and Israel to come, the latter carrying double prize money.
Meanwhile, Benn Barham’s bid to regain his card ended in disappointment, as he finished seven over at Hardelot in France last week.
Barham is still in contention to retain his PGA Virgin Atlantic Order of Merit title, ahead of the final qualifying event, the PGA Farnham Finale, which starts today (Thursday).
Tenterden-based Barham lies second, behind James Ablett but well ahead of third-placed Chris Gane. The top three win a place at the PGA play-offs in Turkey next month.