Congratulations to both Laurie Canter and Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño who have secured their 2018 European Tour cards through Q-School this week at Lumine Golf Club in Spain.
Both finished the gruelling six round test in a tie for 12th on 16 under par. With the leaderboard extremely tight going into the final round, there was little room for error, but experience shun through from the pair as Gonzalo shot a final round 68 (-3) and Laurie a 69 (-2), to wrap up their cards with three shots to spare.
At the halfway stage, Canter led by 1 shot on -13, thanks to a bogey free 67 (-5). This was following on from an impressive second round 64 (-7), that included 9 birdies. From the halfway stage onwards, Laurie’s rounds of 75, 66 and 69, with a birdie on his final hole, were enough to secure his European Tour card for the third year in a row at Qualifying School.
Spanish favourite Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño secured his return to the European Tour, shooting rounds of 72, 70, 69, 68, 65 and a final round of 68. A big move in his penultimate round, with a 65 (-6), catapulted Castaño up the leaderboard to tied 10th.
“I am feeling extremely relaxed. Last time I played at Q-School was in 2004 where it very much felt like a case of all or nothing,” said Castaño.
A solid, bogey-free final round of 69 (-3) guaranteed the Spaniard his 2018 European Tour card walking off the 18th green.
Speaking to the press after a successful tournament, Gonzalo said, “It’s been a long week and I’m a little tired but it’s been an interesting day. I’ve been super relaxed all week long but today I could feel that tiredness, but I managed to hang in there and I guess experience was a key factor.”
“Having Alvaro, my friend, on the bag helped a lot and we did it, so it’s been an amazing week. Believe it or not, I was a little nervous today and it’s good to have those butterflies again because it’s been a long time.”
“My only goal now is to win another European Tour event so that I can be one ahead of Alvaro!”
We wish both Laurie and Gonzalo every success next season on the European Tour.