“OMG, I like so much to be on top!” - Casey wins Alps Q-School
Brian Casey following his five-shot win in the Alps Tour Q-School at La Cala Resort. Picture © Agathe Séron / AlpsTourGolf.com
Headfort’s Brian Casey closed with a super 67 to cruise to an impressive, wire-to-wire, five-shot victory at the Alps Tour Q-School in Spain.
The 22-year old Meath man will be joined on the satellite tour next season by Co Louth’s Simon Ward, who scraped on the one under par limit as 37 players grabbed full cards. Final scores
But the final day was a disaster for former British Amateur champion Alan Dunbar after a disappointing 79 left him four shots outside the mark on three over.
“Oh my God, I like so much to be on top!” was the memorable quote attributed to Casey by the Alps Tour website after he finished on 14 under par at La Cala, firing seven birdies on the Asia Course.
Brian Casey holes out on the final green. Picture © Tommy O'Driscoll.
“It’s my first ever card so I am actually delighted about that,” said Casey, who earned €600 for the win. “I’ve got so much to play next year that’s for sure. It’s giving me a sense of security. I like to be a part of the Alps Tour.
“I had a nice start today, I was three ahead after two because on guy bogeyed the first and the other bogeyed the second. And I was a lot better with the wedges today.”
Pipped by Paul Dunne by a shot in this year’s East of Ireland at Baltray, Casey added: “The goal for next year is to win earlier on the Alps Tour and then to be on top 5 [and earn Challenge Tour promotion at the end of the season]. I will have now a few weeks off and see my family and then go back to the gym to get some muscles back…”
A birdie two at the 17th proved crucial for Ward, who closed with a level par 72 to win a full card on the one under par limit.
But Dunbar, who started the day four shots inside the top 35 and ties in joint 12th, had a day to forget.
Out in two over par, the Rathmore player birdied the par-five 10th but then two sevens in a homeward 41 that also featured two bogeys and just one birdie.
The first seven was triple bogey at the 12th but while he was still inside the qualifying places following a birdie at the 13th, he bogeyed the 14th and 15th and then kissed his card goodbye with a double bogey seven at the par-five 16th.
France’s Romain Schneider (68) and Spanish amateur Javier Gallegos (69) grabbed the second and third cards respectively as they tied on nine under par.