THE European Tour School is an annual end of season exercise that tries the hearts and minds of young and old alike.

Jarmo Sandelin set about rebuilding his career in the European Tour’s qualifying school final in Spain today after spending more than a decade employing a do-it-yourself approach to the game.

England’s Shaun Webster made a purposeful opening to his bid for a European Tour card as he set the early pace in the first round of the qualifying school final at San Roque.

Swede Michael Jonzon, a lowly 187th on the Order of Merit, raced into an early two-stroke lead today at the Omega European Masters – opening event of the 12-month race for places in Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

A 40-yard chip-in for an eagle three helped rocket Scotland’s Peter Whiteford into contention in the third round of the Cadillac Russian Open.

England’s Tom Whitehouse surged clear of the field on the opening day of the Cadillac Russian Open in Moscow after shooting seven birdies in 15 holes.

Veteran Roger Chapman is hoping he can cash in on some good omens and regain his European Tour card at the Cadillac Russian Open by following in the footsteps of last year’s winner Gary Emerson.

SEVERAL Irish golfers, notably Belfast man Michael Hoey, are disappointed at being passed over for invitations into this week’s Smurfit European Open at The K Club.

David Howell put the latest in a long line of near misses behind him today to get right into the thick of things again at the Nissan Irish Open.

HOURS spent in his bedroom last week practising his putting and watching the Masters at the same time paid handsome dividends for Scot Steven O’Hara yesterday.

Hours spent in his bedroom last week practising his putting and watching the Masters at the same time paid handsome dividends for Scot Steven O’Hara today.

Two weeks after winning his first European tour title for 10 years in quite amazing fashion, Paul Broadhurst returned to action today and shot 80.

England’s Roger Chapman will tomorrow become just the third player in European Tour history to appear in 600 events.

Ian Woosnam is this morning expected to celebrate his 47th birthday by being confirmed as Europe's next Ryder Cup captain for when the event is staged at the K-Club near Dublin in September 2006.

Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher believes Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo should be named as Europe’s next two skippers.

BERNHARD LANGER’S decision to opt out of the captaincy of the European Ryder Cup at The K-Club next year is acutely disappointing.

Charlie Mulqueen speaks with Colin Byrne, caddie to Retief Goosen.

FOR the first time since that memorable week at Oakland Hills last month, the 12-man European Ryder Cup team comes together for the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama on Thursday.

A month after becoming a father for the fourth time Paul Broadhurst is hoping to have something else to celebrate tomorrow night – his first European Tour victory since 1995.

And so there were two. Padraig Harrington and David Howell are the only Ryder Cup men left in The Heritage at Woburn.

Padraig Harrington went from one ahead to five behind today at the Linde German Masters – but was still smiling. Ryder Cup team-mate Paul McGinley missed the cut after he finished with a 75 for seven over.

Padraig Harrington went from one ahead to five behind today at the Linde German Masters – the final event before the Ryder Cup.

Australian Peter Lonard tomorrow hopes to celebrate his first European Tour title – thanks to his American good life.

The €63,000 car won by Spaniard Jose Manual Carriles did not stop it from being Australia Day in the Nissan Irish Open at County Louth today.

In this season of surprises on the European Tour, there is now a real chance of another at the Barclays Scottish Open.

Defending champion Ernie Els made the move everybody was expecting of him in the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond today.

WELSHMAN David Park, who won on his second European Tour start but has not finished in the top three in 134 events since, holds a one-shot lead after the first round of the Spanish Open.

Welshman David Park, who won on his second European Tour start but has not finished in the top three in 134 events since, holds a one-shot lead after the first round of the Spanish Open.

Spain’s Carlos Rodiles made an instant impact on his return to European Tour action in the Spanish Open in Fuerteventura today.

Miguel Angel Jimenez wasted little time today putting himself in contention for yet another European tour victory.

England's Roger Chapman waited 472 events for his first European tour victory and has played more than 100 since that day in Brazil four years ago.

England’s Roger Chapman, who waited 472 events for his first European tour victory and has played 100 more without further success, moved into contention for the Qatar Masters today.

Former Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst began the Qatar Masters in fine style in windy Doha today with a four-under-par 68.

There is no possibility that Bernhard Langer’s winning total of 19 under in 1987 will be equalled at Portmarnock this week,insists Charlie Mulqueen.

Australian Peter O’Malley, famous for the greatest-ever finish in European Tour history, produced a marvellous start today to charge from five behind to two in front at the French Open.

THOMAS Bjorn yesterday spoke of his determination not only to get back among golf’s elite, but also to get back to beating them.

Darren Clarke birdied both closing holes in the second round to regain the pole position he held after his opening 66.

It is not difficult to spot which Ryder Cup star has been enjoying himself most back at The Belfry so far this week.

Australian Peter O’Malley equalled the course record to set the clubhouse target in the first round of the Italian Open today.

Ireland's Gary Murphy continues to be tied for seventh place at the Italian Open today.

Former winners Brian Davis and Andrew Sherborne showed their liking for the Spanish Open again today, taking a share of the early first round lead in Tenerife.

THE happiest golfing man in Asia over the past few days has been a 25-year-old Dubliner, Darren Reynolds.

Latest scores and totals in COMPLETED second round of Dunhill Links Championship, St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, Scotland