Harper Targets Strong Finish - 08/06/2007

KEVIN HARPER is looking to secure a place on the Challenge Tour and the title of PGA EuroPro Tour Rookie of the Year at this weekend's Tour Championship.

Harper has enjoyed a sensational debut season as a professional, winning the Prime Time Recruitment Championship at Hollins Hall in September.

He also finished tied second recently in The MCP Classic at Ufford Park, has had three other top-ten finishes, and goes into the Tour Championship third in the Order of Merit.

With the top four players in the Order of Merit after The Azores Tour Championship at Batalha GC earning a Category Nine Challenge Tour Card, Harper admits he has plenty to play for.

"I didn't really know what to expect this year," admits the East Devon star.

"I had a really good Amateur career but didn't get the wins, and that first win at Hollins Hall proved something to me.

"Every week I've found myself having a good chance and in four or five tournaments I've been in contention. It has been a learning curve.

"I'm trying to get a top-five place at the end of the year to get a Challenge Tour card.

"If I get a top-ten finish at the Tour Championship, that should be guaranteed."

Harper is joined by fellow rookies Matthew Richardson and Chris Hanson in the top ten of the Order of Merit.

"Amateur golf's so strong and you look at the PGA EuroPro Tour now, the strength-in-depth is getting better and better," adds Harper.

"A few years ago there were maybe a few top players but now there is strength and you have to shoot a really low score to win an event.

"I didn't really know what to expect this year turning pro, but I had good grounding with the England squads and it's nice to carry on that success."

The Azores Tour Championship will be played at Batalha GC from 21-23 October.