Chris Lloyd makes an eleventh-hour qualification to the European Tour
Chris Lloyd of England birdied three of his last four holes in the final round of the European Tour Qualifying School’s Final Stage, to make his dream come true – he earned his European Tour card for the 2013 season.
The qualifying school featured a total of 872 players, including 685 participants at Stage one, another 111 at stage two and 76 direct qualifiers at the final stage.
Among the 872 players, only 28 contenders, at the end of the final stage, were allowed to retain or earn their cards for the upcoming season.
Lloyd, who started his final-round campaign at the 38th position, made a strong charge on the leaderboard by carding three birdies on the back nine of the course.
He then parred each of the first five holes on the front nine, prior to making a huge jump on the leaderboard, after making birdies on the sixth, seventh and the ninth hole.
At the end of the tournament, he found himself taking the share of the 16th position on the leaderboard, which was enough for him to claim his debut card for the bigger stage.
Talking to the European Tour’s official website, he said that he tried to remain patient throughout the week.
“The big turning point for me was at six,” said the 20 year old. “Then I got up and down for birdie at the par five (seventh)”.
“I stayed so patient and apart from the first day I have just got better and better as the week has gone on,” he added.
“That second shot into nine to finish was just class. It felt like the putt I had was for my card and I have never felt pressure like that before. It was a unique feeling. I was so pumped, even though I had to hit it so softly, but I was very relieved when
it dropped”.
He is now relishing the opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world, on regular basis.
Last season, he spent his time on the European Challenge Tour and finished 32nd in the Challenge Tour Rankings, thanks to seven top-15 finishes.
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