Robb among 11 Scots hoping to play cards right in final qualifying

Meldrum House golfer Chris Robb is among 156 players competing in the final stage of European Tour Qualifying School, which starts in Spain today.

The top 25 and ties at Lumine Golf Club will earn a place on the European Tour for the 2019 season at the end of the gruelling six-round event.

Robb, who earned his spot in the field by finishing tied fifth, at last week’s Second Stage qualifier at Las Colinas in Alicante, is one of 11 Scots who will be hoping to win a European Tour card.

There will be a cut after four rounds with the remaining players competing over 36 holes for a place on the main tour. Duncan Stewart (Grantown) , Ewen Ferguson, Scott Henry, Calum Hill, Jack McDonald, James Ross, Craig Ross, Connor Syme, Marc Warren and Daniel Young are also hoping to add to the Scottish contingent playing on the tour next season.

Matteo Manassero, a four-time winner on the European Tour, is also among those teeing up in the dreaded Q-School.

Manassero, the youngest ever winner in European Tour history following his victory in the 2010 Castello Masters at 17 years and 188 days old, is one of 19 European Tour winners in the field.

The Italian said: “It’s not an easy tournament to prepare for, obviously you’ve got to be very patient and you know that it’s going to be a long tournament, but my game is in good shape so I’m happy and looking forward to starting.

“I think the approach this week should still be about winning. Of course it’s different than four rounds because with it being six rounds you know that you’re going to get one or maybe two rounds where you’re not going to be in perfect shape so you’ve got to battle even more than it being four rounds.

“But I would say being how it is that the guys who get their card are still placed in order, because of that, the aim should still be a win and wherever you end up you end up, but the goal has to be set high.

“This is a new experience for me, but my game is in a good place.”

Former Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson comes into Q-School in form after two wins on the Challenge Tour.

There are also three amateurs in the field – Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan, England’s Ben Hutchinson and Germany’s Allen John.

“You have to be patient. It is going to be a long tournament”