Drysdale in danger
Scotland’s David Drysdale suffered an early setback today in his last-ditch bid to stay on the European tour.
Hoping that his season would end as spectacularly as last year – he won a sudden death play-off on the Challenge Tour to claim a place on the main circuit - the 30-year-old double-bogeyed the third hole in the Mallorca Classic at Pula.
Drysdale flew to the island in the Order of Merit hot seat of 116th, the final position for retaining a card on Sunday night.
But there was good news before he teed off in that the withdrawal of Mark Hensby from next week’s Volvo Masters took the Australian off the money list because he will not have played the 11 events required for inclusion.
Even at 115th, however, Drysdale was under pressure as he is only €769 ahead of Frenchman Gregory Bourdy and less than £1,700 in front of Spain’s Miguel Angel Martin.
If they – or any others, of course – go past him then it will mean a return to the tour qualifying school next month.
After six holes Drysdale remained two over par and was only one shot off last place. That was four behind the two early pacesetters, his fellow Scot Andrew Oldcorn and Swede Robert Karlsson.
Jose Maria Olazabal, who is the process of re-designing the course, set off with a bogey six at the 10th, but his two playing partners Nick Dougherty and Miguel Angel Jimenez both parred that and then birdied the 313-yard 11th.
Defending champion Sergio Garcia was among the later starters, as was Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam.
Ireland's Damien McGrane is on par after three holes today, while Gary Murphy is one under after three.
