Fitzpatrick still has Tour in sight while Gavins will have to wait for withdrawals

The 20-year-old from Sheffield – who left behind a decorated amateur career – was the only one of eight Yorkshire golfers to progress outright from the second stage. Fitzpatrick finished in a tie for fifth at El Saler in Spain after rounds of 72, 72, 67 and 71 gave him a six-under-par total.

He progresses to the final stage at PGA Catalunya from Saturday, when as one of 69 qualifiers, he will be joined by a similar number of players who played on the European Tour this season, but failed to regain their card.

Harrogate’s John Parry will be part of the latter pool of players hoping to reclaim their place.

Oulton Hall’s Daniel Gavins is keeping his fingers crossed that he makes the six-round marathon after being named second reserve. Rounds of 68, 70, 72 and 66 left him one shot outside the outright qualifying mark at Lumine. But it was the end of the line for six of the region’s golfers.

Huddersfield’s Chris Hanson – who played in this year’s Open – will go back to the Challenge Tour after rounds of 69, 68, 72, 74 at Panoramica. Scott Campbell (Hallowes) and Nick McCarthy (Moortown) missed out at Panoramica. David Booth (Rotherham) fell short at El Saler, Justin Sloan (Burstwick) at Lumine and Richard Law at Las Colinas.