Disappointment for Walton at European Tour qualifying school final

Ireland’s Philip Walton has made an early exit from the European Tour qualifying school final at San Roque today.

He shot a 74 to leave him on 292 and well off the three over par cut limit.

Four-time US Tour winner Notah Begay took a major step towards securing his tour card on this side of the Atlantic with a five-under-par 67 for a share of fourth place, two shots behind pacesetter Alexandre Rocha of Brazil going into the closing 36 holes.

“If I get my card I will play full-time on the European Tour next year,” admitted Begay, a Stanford University room-mate of Tiger Woods and still a close friend of the world number one.

“I gave up the chance to go to the US Tour school and withdrew my application this week so you can’t get rid of me now.

“My wife and I are both excited about the possibility of me playing over here but I still have some work to do over the next two days and we’ll think about that when this is finally over.”

Rocha also expressed his enthusiasm for the European circuit after he surged to the head of the standings with a fine 66.

Rocha, who will celebrate his 29th birthday next week, has a one-shot advantage over Spain’s Carlos Rodiles and Scotland’s David Drysdale.

“If I didn’t love it in Europe I wouldn’t be here,” said Rocha who finished 125th on the Order of Merit in 2006.

“I am a Brazilian player who lives in the USA and I always have the choice to go and play over there, but I choose to come over here because I like it so much.”

Former European Tour winner Warren Bennett shares fourth with Begay on 279 after a 71 while English amateur Oliver Fisher remains in the top 10 on 280 despite a two-over 74.