The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Law and MacIntyre earn final say in quest for tour cards
Oban’s Robert MacIntyre and Aberdeen’s David Law secured a Challenge Tour category for 2018 after making the four-round cut at the final stage of the European Tour’s qualifying school in Spain.
MacIntyre, 21, who turned professional last month, carded a thirdsuccessive 71 to move to six under par at Lumines Lakes Course to finish the day in tied 35th position with 36 holes left to play in the gruelling six-round event.
Law, on seven under, is one shot better off in tied 25th position after a three-under 68, picking up birdies at two of the last three holes. They were among 74 players who will now contest the final 36 holes at the Lakes Course, with the top 25 and ties securing status for the European Tour’s 2018 season.
The players who fail to make the top 25 will have a Challenge Tour ranking to fall back upon – and rookie pro MacIntyre was delighted to progress to the final two rounds.
The Glencruitten member said: “It has been my goal to make the cut and get on to the Challenge Tour, so everything is a bonus from here on in.
“The first four days were going to be a grind, so I just said to myself ‘if you make the cut you have achieved something’. I am now within touching distance of getting the full card.
“I played well late in my amateur career but I have actually struggled quite a lot this week. Tee to green I have been really poor but my short game saved me.
Law said: “Now that is secure I’m looking forward to the challenge over the next couple of days.”
Four Scots survived the cut, with Connor Syme leading the way after following up an excellent 63 with a five-under 67 to move to tied sixth on 11under overall.
A three-under 69 was enough to help Glasgow’s Scott Henry make the fourround cut with nothing to spare on two under overall. But Ewen Ferguson and Ross Kellett (both one under) missed out by a shot, while Grant Forrest (level par), Chris Doak (five over) and Grantown’s Duncan Stewart (13 over) all bowed out. erie and Sergio Garcia in being named Sir Henry Cotton rookie of the year.
“Top five in the world, fifth in the FedEx Cup, fourth in the Race to Dubai, I’d have never foreseen this.
“I feel like every star, planet or anything that needs to be aligned for me to accomplish all this has been aligned. I’m proud of this year and hopefully I can keep it going.”
The only disappointment for Rahm in 2017 was his performance in the majors, with a tie for 27 th on his US Masters debut his best result.
“I think it’s important to learn what the magic formula is for you,” said Rahm ahead of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. “You have players like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus who never played the week before a major.
“They practised and they rested. After one year I still don’t know what my formula is but I’m doing that next year.”