Grant survives Alps test as Carey and O'Driscoll achieve goals
Stephen Grant, watched by winner Tim Gornik, tees off on the 10th in the final round
Stephen Grant survived the carnage of the final round at La Cala to win a full card at the wind-lashed Alps Tour Qualifying School in Spain.
But while teenagers Tommy O'Driscoll and David Carey missed out on full cards, they both did what they came to do and have a category that will guarantee them starts in up to 80 percent of the events on the satellite tour next year.
Slovenia’s Tim Gornik, who was five clear entering the third and final round, won the Q-School by three shots on four under despite closing with a 76 on the Asia Course at the Malaga resort.
His St Andrews Trophy team mate, Holland’s Darius Van Driel was the only other player to finish the 54-hole test under par with a 74 leaving him second on one under.
Gale force winds made La Cala a tough test that was only playable because balls were not moving on the greens.
Of the 68 players who made the cut, only two broke par in round three with a 70 by England's Harry Casey giving him a share of third spot on level par with Spain's Ivo Giner, who shot 71, and Frenchman Alexandre Kaleka.
Second overnight, 37-year old Grant won the 16th card on five over despite crashing to an 80.
The qualifying mark was 10 over par which meant that Carton House's 18-year old Carey missed out by just three shots despite a 79.
O'Driscoll, who took to his bed with a temperature straight after the round, followed rounds of 75 and 70 with an 89 as he came home 64th.
The Killarney golfer still considered his week a success and plays to incorparate five or six Alps Tour events — "for the experience" — into his amateur schedule next year.
The first three events of the year will take place in Egypt from 15 February to 4 March with the full schedule to be announced before Christmas.
