Turner leads the way to Frilford Heath

Ashton Turner grabbed the headlines in the final round of HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour First Stage Qualifying School after carding a final-round 64 (-8) to win at Stoke by Nayland by a staggering eight shots.

Turner (Kenwick Park Golf Club) birdied the final five holes in a back nine of 29. His closest rival was James Scade (Ingrebourne Links), who shot 70 on day two to secure his place at Frilford Heath Golf Club next week.

South Korean teenage pair Min Kyu Kim (Golfmind Korea) and Hee Min Chang (Golfmind Korea) led the way at The Players Club, finishing on -3 and -2 respectively. Kim finished one shot ahead of his compatriot to finish on-top in Bristol. Liam Hancock (Leek Golf Club) also finished one shot back after shooting 69, the joint-lowest round of the day.

Play was abandoned for the day at The Carrick on Loch Lomond without a single ball being struck. So, it meant Dermot McElroy (Ballymena Golf Club) remained at the top of the leaderboard, although there was a play-off for the one remaining qualifying place. Amateur Kieran Waters saw off Jonathan Mullaney after the pair were locked at +5 after round-one.

James Foster (Newbury and Crookham Golf Club) remained at the top of the leaderboard at Caversham Heath, but was joined by Guy Woodman (ProAgenda.com), who managed five birdies in his round of 70. Haydn Reay (Army Golf Club) shot the lowest score of the day, being the only player in the field to shoot in the 60s. His round of 69 was 13 shots fewer than his opening-round and enough for him to seal his place at the Final Stage of qualifying by one shot.

Opening-round leader Daniel Garner (Romford Golf Club) maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard with a second-round score of 70 (-2). Meanwhile, Irishman Brian Casey’s score of 68 was the lowest round of the day at Manning’s Heath and enough to find himself in second place.

38 players qualified from Formby Hall, with Daniel Wasteney (Bondhay Golf Club) taking the honours at the top of the leaderboard. Oliver Clarke (Hillside Golf Club) finished one shot behind his fellow Englishman, whilst overnight leader Will Enefer dropped down to third after carding a second-round score of 74, but still managed to book his place in Oxfordshire next week.

With First Stage now complete the 178 successful players will progress to play Final Stage at Frilford Heath next week, where 240 players will play one round on each the Red and Blue Courses on Wednesday, April 5 and Thursday, April 6 before a cut to the leading 80 players and ties play a concluding 18 holes on the Blue Course on Friday, April 7.

Players are competing to earn the highest possible category on the 2017 HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour. All those progressing to Final Stage will earn at least a category 14, with golfers making the Final Stage cut earning a minimum category 10 and the top 30 earning category 3.