Among the 168 players set to do battle for the last 35 places on the 2004 European Tour this week is former Ryder Cup star Philip Walton, who, along with a host of past winners on the European Tour, will head to the Qualifying School Finals hoping to secure his playing privileges on Tour next season.
Walton famously holed the putt which helped recapture the Trophy at Oak Hill in 1995, and the Dubliner will be joined by a further 14 former European Tour winners for the demanding, six-round test that is the Qualifying School Finals in northern Spain.
Walton will have the company of three compatriots, Michael Hoey, David Higgins and Damien McGrane.
The players will play two rounds each at Emporda and Pals Golf Club, after which the field will be cut to 75 players and ties - with the last two rounds being staged at Emporda.
The leading 35 players and ties will be ranked in Category 11. Players making the cut beyond 35th place will be ranked in Category 14 on the European Tour and in Category Eight on the Challenge Tour.
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