Scottish golfer Callum McNeill has put himself in position not only to secure PGA Tour membership but to lock-in his 2024 DP Tour card at Final Qualifying in Spain.
McNeill, 28, heads the seven Scots among the field of 152 players competing over six rounds at two courses at the Infinitum club in Tarragona.
The Scot, who spends a lot of the year based in Houston, grabbed eight birdies to share ninth place after just two rounds, and with the leading 25 players at the close of Tuesday’s sixth and closing round to earn full next season Tour status.
MUSCLES HIS WAY TOP-PLACED 🏴
Callum McNeill @CMcNeillGolf @HoustonOaks grabs 8⃣x🐦& among top-🔟 heading round 3⃣ of 6⃣ @DPWTQSchool @infinitumresort 👏👍
Top-2⃣5⃣ to earn full 2024 @DPWorldTour card
Read: https://t.co/xPGj9FdD1L
✅ @TOURMISS @SundayMailSport (Bernie) pic.twitter.com/VLpexYoxZJ
— Golf & Science News (@TOURMISS) November 11, 2023
However, McNeill admitted he felt short-changed bogeying two of his closing four holes.
He said: “Dropping two shots over the last four stings a little bit but, to be honest, I really have not had my best these two days.
“I am just trying to keep in play off the tee and get it on the green as quick as possible, and my putting is really good right now so that’s been the key.
“Obviously, I’m delighted to be in the position I’m in given how I’ve played”.
McNeill arrived in Spain from Texas where last week he successfully made it through the first stage of qualifying in a quest for his PGA Tour, and has help on his game from Hal Sutton, the former PGA Tour winner and also captain of the 2004 USA Ryder Cup side.
Glaswegain Marc Warren needs to up the ante over the next four days, currently lying T69th after last month losing his Tour card.
MEANTIME
Ewen Ferguson is now the leading Scot heading to the final of the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City in South Africa.
Ferguson posted a ‘moving day’ 68 to be sharing 10th place at six-under on the Gary Player host course.
Richie Ramsay, who led the six Scots for two rounds, posted a horror 76 to drop back into a tie for 24th but remains projected at currently 48th to qualify among the leading 50 season money-earners for next week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
Visiting American Max Homa will take a one shot lead at 13-under into the last round.
