The PGA European Senior Tour Qualifying School, handing playing privileges to golfers in the 50+ age group, has been taking place since 1993. This year’s finals were held at the Pestana Pinta Resort Course last week with John Harrison emerging as the hero of the hour.
The Englishman followed in his two elder brothers’ footsteps in impressive style, a final round of 67 contributing to the lowest total (14 under par 270) recorded in the event for eight years and a three-shot victory.
At the same time, last month’s Vilamoura Portugal Masters winner Lee Westwood secured a superb six-shot victory in the inaugural Dubai World Championship to end the season at the top of the European Tour order of merit.
Stunning rounds of 66-69-66 and 64 from the English World No5 gave previous leader Rory McIlroy little chance of becoming the youngest European No1 since Seve Ballesteros, the 20-year-old Ulsterman having to settle for third, two strokes behind runner-up Ross McGowan.
