Q-School battlers Richie Coughlan and Keith Nolan have vowed to battle on in their bid for tour glory in the US.

The Irish pair failed miserably in the six-round marathon at La Quinta with Coughlan finishing in 126th place and Nolan a miserable 163rd.

But despite their disappointment, Ireland’s former Walker Cup stars are determined to go for it again next year.

Coughlan said: “I played c**p. The PGA West Stadium Course was brutal - one of the top two or three toughest golf courses that I have played.

“I never got comfortable over a shot because all the pins were tucked. Had it going on the second day but dropped a few coming in.

“Now I am in the same sort of situation as last year. I have to go out in the early Nationwide events, get some money on the board and try to get fully exempt for the rest of the year.

“I’ll recharge the batteries and I’ll be back again next year, have no fear.”

Nolan had a torrid time, crashing to last place after three days in the wake of rounds of 82 and 83 at West Stadium.

He said: “Even though I played really bad the second day I still wanted to keep going. My goal was just to beat one person over the last three days so I could improve my ranking. And that’s what I did. I beat one guy.

“I was in last place after three days but I have a lot of pride in my golf game and the last thing I was going to do was give up.

“What doesn’t kill me is making me stronger, is the away I look at it and I will be back again. I made it to the finals this year but I just didn’t have it. It was embarrassing more than anything else.

“I know I am not that bad. There is two things you can do. Keep fighting or quit.”

Both men have conditional cards for the Nationwide Tour and need to play well in the early season events in Panama, Australia and New Zealand to climb the list and become fully exempt.

Nolan added: “I still have a conditional Nationwide Card so I am going to get ready for the event in Panama on January 24. I may not get into the events in Australia and New Zealand but when the tour comes back to mainland USA I’m going to try and Monday pre-qualify.”