BBC SPORT | Golf | Tour card lotto reaches Rome



By Matt Slater BBC Sport Online golf editor

Before Tony Blair starting trying to place Britain at the heart of Europe, we used to hear much on this island about the desirability of a two-speed Europe.

Well, that two-speed dream has become a reality, and it is called the PGA European Tour.

The tour is in Rome this week for the Italian Open, the season's penultimate event, and while the major powers will be trying to add another six-figure sum to their already sizeable earnings, the minnows will be fighting for every euro.

Order of Merit breadline

115 G Orr
172,015 euros

116 G Emerson
169,661 euros

117 G Brand Jnr
169,591 euros

118 P Eales
167,371 euros

119 M Cort
166,325 euros

120 A Forsbrand
160,520 euros

In the fast lane you have Padraig Harrington; in the slow lane, Gary Orr.

Harrington is chasing the top-four finish that will see him overtake Retief Goosen at the top of the European Order of Merit.

Orr is currently 115th in the Order of Merit - the cut-off point for automatic qualification for a 2003 tour card - and must defend that position from the players just behind him.

With only 22,276 euros - a top 10 finish in Rome - separating the 111th ranked player, Ken Ferrie, from the 120th, Anders Forsbrand, it is clear that there is as much to play for at the bottom as at the top.

Orr's position is particularly precarious. His two-year exemption for winning the 2000 British Masters is up, and he has four men within a top 50 finish in Rome of sending him back to Tour Qualifying School.

If Orr, who has struggled all season, fails to make the cut, he risks being overhauled by one or more of Gary Emerson, Gordon Brand Jnr, Paul Eales or Matthew Cort.

It wasn't much fun and I feel sorry for the guys who are doing it right now

Alastair Forsyth
on Orr's plight

The 2,010 euros on offer for making the weekend might be loose change to the sport's superstars, but for Orr and co it could be the difference between a season on the big tour gravy train and a year spent on the outside looking in.

One man who has been in their shoes and lived to tell the tale is fellow Scot Alastair Forsyth.

Last year, the 1999 Tour School winner made the cut at the Italian Open but failed to do enough to climb into the top 115.

With Sergio Garcia controversially accredited with playing the requisite 11 events to qualify for a card, Forsyth found himself in 116th place and facing a return to Tour School.

Forsyth sent back to school

When asked about his memories of the 2001 Italian Open, Forsyth told BBC Sport Online: "It wasn't much fun and I feel sorry for the guys who are doing it right now.

Scotland's Alastair Forsyth
Forsyth suffered tour card misery last year
"I was looking at the leaderboard, watching other people's scores all the time, which were almost more important than my own score. No fun at all.

"It's easier said than done, but you've got to do your own thing. It's very difficult not to watch what other people are doing, though."

Forsyth subsequently failed to make the top 35 at Tour School and was forced to contemplate a 2002 schedule of Challenge Tour events and sponsor's invites.

But Forsyth's saga has a happy ending, as he returned to the big time in style with a victory at the Malaysian Open in March - earning him a two-year tour exemption.

Forsyth wins Malaysian Open

So no remedial lessons for Forsyth this year, but there will be plenty of others supping in the tour's last-chance saloon when the Qualifying School finals start on 15 November in Spain.

"It's a good week for guys who are there for the first time," remembered Forsyth.

"But for guys who have had their cards and are going back it's a big pressure week.

"And it's a long week after a long season. You have six rounds to play on two different courses, and you're down there for almost two weeks.

"You've had enough of golf after that for a while."

This year, however, Forsyth can enjoy his Italian Open safe in the knowledge that a welcome, and well-earned, break is around the corner.


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