Third time lucky

Parry saves his card again and aims to beat the Qs in 2017

John Parry confessed to being a relieved man after saving his European Tour career for a third time at Q School.

The Harrogate golfer gave a nerveless display in the final two rounds at the final stage of European Tour Qualifying School to give himself a perfect 30th birthday present.

With full cards for the 2017 season handed to the top 25, he delivered when it mattered finishing tied-ninth at the PGA Catalunya Resort in Barcelona to end a disappointing year on a high note.

With his career in the balance, Parry shot seven under-par for the final 36 holes of the six-round event to finish four shots behind winner Nathan Kimsey.

“I am very relieved to get my card back at Q School,” said Parry. “I’m just pleased to get the job done, although I don’t plan making a habit of it!”

It’s the fourth time Parry has won through qualifying having secured his first card in 2009 and twice rescued his career at the PGA Catalunya Resort after poor years in 2012 and 2014.

“I have a good track record at Q School, so I always feel confident,” Parry added. “I don’t panic if I have a bad round, which is key to staying patient. This year the scores were bunched, which meant one good or bad round could see you dropping or climbing a lot of places.”

Parry’s management company MB Partners is delighted and head of golf Duncan Maxim said: “It’s another fantastic achievement by John – especially given the torrid time he’s had this season.

“He has such fight and determination; when he has to deliver in the pressure cooker of Qualifying School you never really fear for him. We need to build upon this for next season and start to deliver what we all know he is capable of.”

Parry will enjoy Category 17 membership for the European Tour and Category 5 membership for the Challenge Tour for the 2017 season.

The news was not so good for Barnard Castle’s Rob Dinwiddie and Morpeth’s Garrick Porteous who both missed out.

Both will be playing on the Challenge Tour and will get some starts on the European Tour.

Jack Harrison, the son of former Barnard Castle and Wynyard Hall pro Phillip Harrison, missed the cut as did Yorkshire’s Richard Finch while Ashington’s Kenneth Ferrie retired after the first two rounds.