Golf digest

Terry Dill is well placed to win his first card to the European Seniors Tour at the age of 67.

The towering Texan has impressed spectators with his powerful play during the first two rounds of the European Seniors Tour Qualifying School Finals at Pestana Golf Resort in Portugal, where rounds of 69 and 71 have left him tied seventh in a field of 75.

In spite of his ageing limbs, Dill still averages 290 yards off the tee, and his length is such that he has rarely needed to use his driver during 36 holes on the 6,555 yard Pinta layout, where the leading 14 players at the end of tomorrow's fourth round will earn a place on the 2007 European Seniors Tour.

It's all a far cry from last year when Dill quit golf to follow his political dreams. The former US PGA Tour player ran for a seat in the Texas State House of Representatives, raising 70 per cent of his political money from his fellow senior tour professionals, but lost in the primary.

"My father and my grandfather were both politicians, so I tried to run, but I just wasn't conservative enough," explained Dill, who as well as harbouring political ambitions is also a trained tax lawyer.

"For eight months I didn't play any golf. The players really supported me, but in my district the anti-abortion people are very strong and the people who don't want to pay any more taxes are very strong, while I think I am more of a reasonable person.

"Strangely, though, the experience seemed to really benefit my golf. I had played really hard for 15 years so it was nice to have some time off, and I kept fit by walking the neighbourhoods canvassing. I am in good shape for my age."

Luis Gallardo of Spain and David Merriman of Australia lead the Qualifying School with a six-under-par total of 136, three clear of their nearest challengers and four ahead of Dill.

Best of the four Irish competitors is former tour member John Curtis, who is tied for 13th after two rounds of 71.

Irish women face final hurdle

Ireland's Curtis Cup players, Dublin's Martina Gillen (24) and Cork's Claire Coughlan (26), will attempt to join the professional ranks this week as they compete in the Ladies European Tour (Let) Final Qualifying School at La Cala Resort in Spain, starting today.

In all, 95 players will be trying to gain or retain playing rights for the tour's 2007 season in the 72-hole strokeplay tournament.

All competitors will play the first 54 holes before the field is cut to 50 players to contest the final round on Saturday. At the conclusion of 72 holes, 25 players will obtain full playing rights, while the remaining 25 and ties will secure conditional playing privileges.

The Irish pair will be joined by Curtis Cup team-mate Kiran Matharu (17), from Leeds, who turned professional in August.