Downing wins Europro Q School

Billy Downing carded a final round 65, five-under-par, to complete a wire-to-wire victory at HotelPlanner.com PGA Europro Tour Qualifying School Final Stage.

The Truro Golf Club representative finished the tournament ten-under-par, one clear of James Maw (Rockliffe Hall) and Ben Stow (Rushmore Golf Club).

Golfers have been competing to earn the highest possible category on the 2016 HotelPlanner.com PGA Europro Tour. All those who had progressed to Final Stage earned at least a category 14, with golfers making the Final Stage cut earning a minimum category 10 and the top 30 earning category three.

For Downing, it was a reversal in fortunes having withdrawn from last year’s Qualifying School at the First Stage through injury.

“It is great for my hard work over the winter to pay off,” he said. “I am really pleased with how I played and to lead from start to finish is really good.

“I felt good coming into the last round and I was confident with how I was playing – I have felt good all week and conditions were much nicer today so it was nice to make some birdies.

“I have a lot more confidence after this week so I am really confident going into the new season. It will be good to come back here for the first event, and I am looking forward to that.”

The 2016 HotelPlanner.com PGA Europro Tour season gets underway back at Frilford Heath. The PDC Golf Championship takes place from Wednesday, May 18, concluding on Friday, May 20. Spectator entry will be free throughout the event.