Honours shared at Q School

Spain's Carlos Rodiles and Brazilian Alexandre Rocha shared top spot in a marathon European Tour Qualifying School finals at San Roque.

The pair finished on 15 under par after six rounds with Rodiles closing with a 69 to Rocha's 71 to grab the top card on a countback

Waterville's David Higgins crashed to second last place after final round 81 as 35 players finished level par or better to clinch their playing right for 2007.

The final day was marred by a rain delay of one hour and 40 minutes which threatened to send the gruelling, six-round event into a ninth day.

Higgins was bitterly disappointed by his performance but vowed to work hard to improve his game and regain his card next season.

He said: "I played better all year than my results showed. You have have a big week or probably two or three and I didn't have any.

"I put myself in position to have a few big weeks and I didn't finish them off. I ended up here and I have to go away now and try and improve and start again.

"I was probably disappointed coming in here but I'll take a few weeks off now, re-group and get going again."

Rodiles, who hit three birdies in a faultless 69, said: "It's been six tough rounds over eight days against 156 other guys who had a massive desire to get on the tour. It is very competitive but in the end I tied with Alex and next year I'll try not to have to come back here."

English amateur Oliver Fisher closed with a 71 to grabbed the fifth card on seven under par and become the third youngest player to earn his card in the history of the tour at 18 years and 64 days.

Native American Notay Begay III, a close pal of Tiger Woods, also grabbed his card on six under alongside former Irish Open winner Patrik Sjoland.