Scott Henry was heading straight to Tenerife a four-day ‘Stag’ celebration overjoyed to secure his European Tour card for the 2017 season.
Henry, 29 posted a sixth and final round 67, and despite ending with back-to-back bogeys, it was good enough to grab a share of second place among the top-25 leading graduates on the PGA Catalunya course at Girona in Spain.
It’s been a long three years since the Glaswegian lost his main Tour card at the end of 2013 and Henry revealed he used his ‘despise’ of the secondary Challenge Tour to re-join the 40-plus Race to Dubai schedule.
“Today’s final round with two holes to go was definitely the most pressure I’ve faced in golf,” he said.
Scot Henry heads to his ‘Stag’ celebration having regained his European Tour card.
“It’s not like I’ve had the odd opportunity to compete and win on the main Tour as I’ve had a couple of seconds and just missed out on a play-off for the Johnnie Walker Championship (T4th in 2013), and that’s the kind of pressure you want because that’s where you want to be on the main Tour, and not here at Q-School.
“So to be out there and knowing, and no offence to the Challenge Tour, but I absolutely despise playing it (Challenge Tour) and that was my biggest incentive for pushing on and getting my European Tour card.”
Henry, who capped his round with a 15th hole eagle, was winging his way straight to Tenerife to join his mates for four days of celebration ahead of his up-coming marriage to double Ladies European Tour winner and fellow Scot Kylie Walker.
“It’s exciting for me and I just can’t wait to phone my family now and celebrate with the boys over the next few days and hopefully survive my stag do,” he said smiling.
And once he returns to Scotland on Monday night, it will not only finalising plans for his wedding but also head to South Africa for the opening event next fortnight on the 2017 main Tour.
England’s Stuart Kimsey, 23 topped the School and with Ryder Cup star, Edoardo Molinari regaining his card in sharing second place with Henry.
And Korean Y E Yang, who had celebrated his 2009 PGA Championship victory over Tiger Woods by holding his golf bag over his head, became the first Major winner to enter Q-School and secured his card finishing T11th.
