Aussies reach final Euro hurdle

Blake Windred

A contingent of 12 strong Aussie pros is playing this weekend for their immediate Euro futures.

The last stage of the European Tour Q school will take place on Friday in six grueling laps on two courses at the Lumine Golf Club in Tarragona, Spain.

But although the Aussies remarkably cover nearly eight percent of the 156-man field, they all fight to be among the top 25 (and tires) that runs away laughing with a 2020 card in their hand.

The tilt of Australia extends from emerging youth to revitalized veterans, with some benefiting from various exemptions directly in this third and final phase, while others have fought through earlier Q-school fights.

Fresh from moving performances in strong winds in Spain last weekend are conquerors of the second phase and newly beaten pros Blake Windred from Sydney and Dave Micheluzzi from Melbourne, who will pair in round one at the Hills Course.

Micheluzzi said his focus would not be on getting a card.

"You just have to try and win," said the rookie pro.

"It's easy to get caught in trying 25 places, but you need the mindset to win, because that mentality allows you to focus on victory instead of a lesser goal."

Micheluzzi, who made three birdies in phase two earlier this week in his four-hole seal to secure his place in this field, said being close to a lifelong goal was a nerve-racking experience.

"We had delays and thought we might not have to go back on course … so when we did, I was as nervous as I have ever been with seven holes to play," said the Victorian.

"But I reacted well when I started, and that was important for this week, I think.

"This week can of course change your life and it has always been my goal to play in Europe, but you cannot get caught up in thinking about it.

"You just have to stay in the moment and play golf like you're playing with your friends at home."

Others from that difficult stage two path are grim West Australian couple Ben Ferguson and Jarryd Felton, Victorian Deyen Lawson and New South Welshmen Jordan Zunic and Nick Flanagan.

Through various means directly in the final phase are Queenslander Jake McLeod, Victorian Zach Murray, Tasmanian Simon Hawkes and New South Welshman Dimi Papadatos.

They will also be accompanied by veteran Perth champion Brett Rumford who, despite six wins on the European Tour in his stellar career, returns from a nasty wrist injury and has to do it the hard way.

The lake and hill jobs have considerably different layouts, with bad weather tipped to offer an additional challenge.

All players play each course twice in the first four days, before the top 70 and draw the last two rounds on the lakes.

The European Tour reports that a record of 842 participants this year went through the Q-School process, with 28 nationalities represented this week.