Thornton almost quit before tour boost
The 36-year-old Yorkshire-born, former Royal County Down assistant professional, made seven visits to the Q-School and won and lost his card twice before holding his nerve to beat South African Tjaart Van der Walt at the first extra hole to win the dual ranking Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open in St Omer less than a fortnight ago.
“I was very close to giving it up,” said Thornton, whose gesture of dedicating his victory to his late father was echoed by Justin Rose in the US Open at Merion a few hours later.
