A Stone's Throw From Glory! - 05/11/2007

PHIL WORTHINGTON will defy the pain of kidney stones to play in the Final Stage of European Tour Qualifying School this week.

Worthington was rushed to hospital in Malaga on Monday night after being struck down with the illness.

However, he has now been released and will take his place at the San Roque Club on Thursday for the first round.

Worthington heads a field of 16 players who featured on the PGA EuroPro Tour in 2005 among the 156 competitors at Final Stage.

They will play over six rounds for one of 30 cards which are are avaialble for the 2006 European Tour.

The other players to reach Final Stage are: Kieran Staunton, Eamon Brady, Inder Van Weerelt, Paul McKechnie, John Wade, Ralph Miller, Graham Fox, Gareth Wright, Graeme Clark, Warren Wood, Murray Urquart, James Healey, Robert Rock, Shaun Webster and James Hepworth.