Catlin sets the pace with Scots contingent well-placed

American John Catlin is the early pacesetter in the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage at Lumine in Spain

Catlin came into the event less than a week after securing his fourth Asian Tour victory in Thailand and continued in the same form with a flawless sixunder-par round of 65 to charge into an early lead. Catlin recorded six birdies and 12 pars on the Lakes Course as he looks to secure an immediate return to the European Tour.

The 29-year-old admitted he relished the opportunity to compete in Europe for the first time this season, with his best finish a tie for 12th at Made in Denmark. But he knows there is still a long way to go before he seals his 2020 playing rights in the six-round contest in Tarragona.

He said: “It’s only one of six rounds and it’s definitely a nice way to start but there’s still a long way to go. I remember liking this track at last year’s event and the Hills was the course I definitely struggled on, so to come out and take full advantage of that was a good way to start.”

He will begin day two with a one-shot advantage over a group of six players on five under par, which includes 2018 Final Stage joint-champion Alejandro Cañizares, Dane Benjamin Poke, Frenchman JeanBaptiste Gonnet, Sami Valimaki from Finland, England’s Toby Tree and Italian Lorenzo Scalise.

Kilmarnock Barrassie’s Euan Walker is the leading Scot after a four-under 67, with Daniel Young two shots farther back.

Rutherglen’s Marc Warren shot a one-under 71 at the tougher Hills Course, with Ewen Ferguson, Craig Howie and Liam Johnston all level par.

Four-time European Tour winner Matteo Manassero, the European Tour’s rookie of the year in 2010, has it all to do to save his place on the main tour.

The 26-year-old shot the second-worst score of the day with a six-over-par 78.

Marc Warren