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Mikko Korhonen wins European Tour Qualifying School, Matthew Fitzpatrick earns his card

Mikko Korhonen: Winner of the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage
Image: Mikko Korhonen: First Finn to win the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage

Mikko Korhonen became the first golfer from Finland to win the European Tour’s Qualifying School as 27 players earned their cards for next season following a dramatic final day in Spain.

Korhonen closed the six-round marathon at PGA Catalunya with a five-under 67 to claim a two-shot victory over veteran Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez, while former US Amateur champion Matthew Fitzpatrick also earned a European Tour card for 2015.

Fitzpatrick, the leading amateur at the 2013 Open Championship, turned professional after the US Open in June but was unable to finish in the top 15 on the Challenge Tour despite four top-10 finishes.

But the 20-year-old secured full European Tour playing privileges for next season as he birdied three of the last five holes to post a closing 68 and finish on 10 under alongside fellow Englishmen Chris Lloyd, Tom Murray and Paul Maddy.

The battle at the top provided an enthralling finish, with Korhonen holding his nerve down the stretch as 17-year-old Renato Paratore buckled under the pressure, dropping shots at three of the last five holes while four-time European Tour winner Gonzalez birdied four of the last six to snatch second.

I haven’t challenged for the win very often in my career but it feels absolutely amazing
Mikko Korhonen

Korhonen birdied the second and fourth and made a significant move with an eagle at the seventh and, after his first blemish of the day at the 16th, he responded with a closing birdie to retain his card in style.

The Finn, who has now graduated from the Qualifying School for the third consecutive year, told the European Tour website: “It feels fantastic. It’s the first win of my professional career, finally. I haven’t challenged for the win very often in my career but it feels absolutely amazing.

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"Of course, being first of all the guys here gets me into more tournaments so that’s good, but it’s not like any other tournament. You don’t exactly come here to win, even if you should, you just come to get your card. But victory makes it sweeter.

"I was a bit nervous even coming in knowing I had my card. This is my fourth time coming through Q-School and I’m confident now I can stay on tour next season. Getting my first win, even if it is Q-School, is still important for me.

"I wasn’t too nervous and that was a surprise for me. I did think about Mikko (Ilonen) today when I was on the first tee. I just thought, ‘be like Mikko’, just walk on the course like an Iceman and do your stuff."

Matt Ford, who was considering quitting the game to become a postman, sealed his card with plenty to spare as a final-round 70 clinched outright fourth ahead of John Parry, while journeyman Richard McEvoy posted a top-10 finish after an erratic 72.

Daniel Woltman and Cyril Bouniol both birdied their 108th holes to snatch a card with nothing to spare on seven under, but Irish pair Peter Lawrie and Simon Thornton narrowly missed out after both closed with 71s.

But Sebastien Gros provided the biggest hard-luck story of the final day, two days after he was distraught after thinking he had missed the 72-hole card with a three-putt bogey at the last.

The Frenchman vaulted into the all-important top-25 with a fifth-round 67 and he was three under for the final day through 15 holes and sitting pretty on nine under par..

However, Gros then bogeyed the final three holes to miss out by a single shot, leaving him resigned to another season on the Challenge Tour next year.

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