Yorkshire hopefuls playing for Tour card

The 20-year-old from Sheffield, who turned professional in June after making the cut at the US Open, is 10 rounds away from winning his card. He tees off today for the first of four rounds at El Saler Golf Club in Valencia.

If he finishes in the top 25 per cent of the field Fitzpatrick progresses to the final stage which runs from November 15, a gruelling six-round marathon after which only the leading 25 players earn playing rights on next year’s European Tour.

Fitzpatrick failed to make enough money from seven sponsors’ invites on the European Tour this summer, and was then unable to gain a card for the top circuit from the handful of Challenge Tour events he played in the autumn.

Also playing for a place at the final stage at PGA Catalunya is Huddersfield golfer Chris Hanson.

Hanson had a steady year highlighted by his qualifying for the Open at Royal Liverpool.

Like Fitzpatrick, he is at the second stage because he failed to progress to the final week of the Challenge Tour season.

Hanson competes at the Panoramica Golf Club in Castellon alongside two of the remaining five White Rose players who progressed from the first stage.

He is joined by Scott Campbell of Hallowes in Sheffield and Nick McCarthy of Moortown.

Oulton Hall’s Daniel Gavins, who won his first qualifying round at Frilford Heath, plays at Lumine Golf and Beach Club at Tarragona.

Richard Law (Low Laithes), the former Yorkshire Amateur champion, competes at Las Colinas in Alicante.