Amateur golfers tee up professional chance

SOME of Europe’s top amateur golfers teed up a shot at the big time last week.

More than 150 hopefuls descended on Catalunya’s PGA course for the final, gruelling, qualifying round of the European Tour Q School.

For the top 27, a place on next season’s lucrative European Tour card is now in the bag.

Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick was close to the edge of missing out before sinking three birdies in a row to make the cut.

“It’s the hardest exam I have ever done – worse than school,” said an elated Fitzpatrick.

“It’s daft in a way as it’s not a win, but it feels like one. It is a tough week and there’s no messing around.”