Heroics and heartbreak - the battle for a European Tour card

As the dust settled over Lake Karrinyup at the end of the ISPS HANDA Perth International, tales of heroics and heartbreak were left scattered over Western Australia as the battle to keep European Tour cards came to an end.

While Scot David Drysdale and Englishmen Matthew Nixon and Antony Wall celebrated after a dramatic climax in Perth, the likes of Lee Slattery, Andrea Pavan and Sihwan Kim were left facing the prospect of a trip to the European Tour Qualifying School after coming so close, but ultimately just short of a place among the top 111 on the Race to Dubai needed to retain their playing privileges for another season.

Drysdale’s performance was the most impressive, and indeed spectacular, as he climbed from 116th to 103rd on the Race to Dubai by finishing join fourth in Perth, his week culminating in a quite brilliant three iron into the heart of the 18th green and a courageous 30 foot putt for birdie to seal his card.

“I am still shaking from that putt on the last,” he said moments later. “It was not the best of days as struggled a bit but standing in the fairway on the last faced with 202 yards into the wind and a three iron in my hand thinking I had to get up and down to have a chance….especially with Pavan, with his name on the board, Kim and Matthew Nixon all in the mix. To see that putt drop on the last was unbelievable. I came here thinking I had to finish seventh to keep my card so I am delighted.”

Nixon came into the week with the target on his back as the man in 111th position knowing every player in the field ranked behind him had their sights trained on him, but he withstood the pressure with a solid tied 23rd finish, his 12th cut in 15 events, to finish the season 110th.

“It’s been a long week and feel as if I have lost a few years from my life, but I feel I have done everything I could,” said Nixon. “I knew I had to play well and give myself an opportunity.”

That left Anthony Wall, who missed the cut by a single shot in Perth, holding his breath but ultimately holding onto the final card. “Never have I been so happy to finish last,” he tweeted moments after the results were confirmed.

Lee Slattery, who also missed the cut, was not so lucky and finished agonisingly outside the mark in 112th place after slipping two places in the final counting event.

Italy’s Andrea Pavan was also in the frame for a heroic last stand after making six birdies in his opening 14 holes but made a gut-wrenching double bogey on the 18th which cost last year’s challenge Tour Number One his card.

“I was struggling with my driving and the last few holes you have to drive well," said the Italian. "For 69 holes I played well but not the last three. That’s golf. I gave it a fight and just wasn’t this time.”

Race to Dubai - standings around the bubble after ISPS HANDA Perth International

- top 111 retain their cards