Walton and Hoey set to keep cards

Former Ryder Cup star Steve Richardson hit rock bottom at the European tour qualifying school in Spain today.

The 36-year-old from Hampshire, who played for Europe in the 1991 match and was second to Seve Ballesteros on the Order of Merit that year with winnings of over £500,000 (€783,500), had his second 76 of the gruelling event.

While Richardson has no hope now of qualifying, Philip Walton and Paul Broadhurst, the other two ex-Ryder Cup men taking part, are in the middle of a dogfight.

After rounds of 71 and 74 respectively at Pals, Walton is five under par and Broadhurst four under. The cut-off tomorrow is expected at either six or seven.

Broadhurst played his last 10 holes in three under, but before that had three bogeys and a double bogey.

He said: “It was poor – and it’s been a similar thing for the last 18 months.

“I seem to get five over after eight holes quite easily. I didn’t do a lot wrong and I can’t put my finger on it. It just multiplies.

“I didn’t make the putts and the round got away from me, but I’ll just soldier on tomorrow.”

Alongside Walton, match-winning hero of the 1995 clash with the Americans at Oak Hill, is last year’s British amateur champion Michael Hoey.

That represents a real recovery from the Ulsterman, who had a quadruple bogey eight at his first hole on Friday and was seven over par after seven.

Hoey has since had scores of 65 and 68 at Emporda, the other course being used, and said: “I’m pleased with the way I’ve stayed patient and worked my way back into this, but I still have a few things to learn about professional golf.

“I throw in a few high numbers here and there and my strategy is not totally correct. It’s my fault – there’s nobody else to blame.”

Scotland’s Gordon Sherry, Amateur champion in 1995 and tipped for great things after finishing fourth in the Scottish Open a month later, remains well outside the top 100 after his third successive 72.

Sherry, yet to gain a tour card, was four over after a double bogey six on the ninth and even though he came home in 33 he said: “It was still pretty poor.

“I just played terrible. Every one of my rounds should be at least three or four better, but that’s why I am where I am.

“Disappointing, but there you go. I’ll try to give it everything tomorrow, but I’ve tried to do that every day this week.”