Nicholson Grabs Second Opportunity To Win Q School - 30/04/2007

TODD Nicholson came off the reserve list to win the 2007 PartyPoker.net Qualifying School.

New Zealander Nicholson, 26, finished on top out of 240 competitors at Frilford Heath, Oxfordshire and three shots clear with a score of -8.

It completed a remarkable turnaround for Nicholson as he had not qualified for the event after a poor performance in an earlier round of Qualifying School at The Bedford, Bedfordshire the previous week.

Nicholson had finished 57th when only the top 56 went through from that event but a late withdrawal gave him a second chance. He capitalised on this with an opening round of -1 before a -6 on the second day gave him the lead, which he kept with a final day -1.

He insisted he had no second thoughts about turning up for the tournament, even though he was not guaranteed a game.

"If there was any chance I could get a start then I would definitely be here," said Nicholson, who collected £2,400 by finishing first. I was a bit nervous in the last round but my swing felt good and I played sensibly.

"This week has been really good and it has not hit home yet. I hope this form continues throughout the season."

Nicholson and the other competitors who finished in the top 70 are now guaranteed places on the main PGA EuroPro Tour, which is ranked as the leading golf developmental tour in Europe.

Elsewhere, Cennydd Mills (Vale of Glamorgan, Wales) and Mark Staunton (Black Bush GC, Dunshaughlin, Ireland) finished in joint second on -5, while five players finished in tied fourth a shot further back.

These were Paul Reed (Bristol and Clifton GC), Neil Vowles (Burton on Trent, Staffordshire), Sam Osborne (Wentworth, Surrey), Brendan McCarroll (Ballyliffin GC, Co. Donegal, Ireland) and day one leader Colin Roope (Hindhead, Surrey). The first of 16 rounds of the season takes place at Wensum Valley in Norfolk and begins on May 1.

Date posted: April 20, 2007