Sibaya Challenge winner Louis de Jager leads countryman Bryce Easton and Jean-Paul Strydom into the Final Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School later this month.
Fresh from his win last month, De Jager has made it to the list of 95 players through to the finals where he joins 61 exempt players at Lumine Golf Club from November 10-15.
De Jager, Easton and Strydom secured their spots after finishing well during the Second Qualifying Stages in Spain and they among the players who will join other players from the European Challenge Tour and European Tour who are all striving for a life-changing card on Europe’s main stage.
De Jager, who played at Las Colinas Golf and Country Club, finished in a share of eighth on 12-under-par 272 after rounds of 69, 67, 69 and 67. Easton – on the same course – finished tied 13th on nine-under-par 275 after rounds of 70, 68, 70 and 67.
Strydom was one of 24 qualifiers out of Desert Springs Golf Club where he finished tied 14th on nine-under-par 279 after rounds of 68, 67, 70 and 74.
There was heart break for MJ Viljoen and Tyrone Ryan, who despite closing rounds of 66 and 65 respectively, finished one shot short of the qualifying mark. They were joined by six other South Africans including Jaco Ahlers and Neil Schietekat who failed to advance.
Since 1976, the European Tour Qualifying School has been held at the end of each season to establish which players, not otherwise exempt, will gain their playing privileges on the Tour for the following season through a qualifying competition. A player progressing through all three stages will have to play 252 holes under the most intense pressure.
The leading 25 players (plus those tied for 25th place) will earn membership of the European Tour for the following season.
