Ace helps Liam clinch tour spot

The 18-year-old from Camber Sands has earned a place on the PGA EuroPro Tour - the leading developmental golf tour in Europe - during the 2011 season.

Harper finished in a six-way tie for eighth in the 54-hole Final Qualifying School at Frilford Heath Golf Club after aceing the 195-yard par three sixth hole on the Blue Course in round two.

One of around 240 hopefuls lining-up at the Oxfordshire venue from as far afield as Australia, Korea, South Africa and USA, Harper began with a one-over-par 74 on the Red Course which contained three birdies and four bogeys.

But a two-under-par second round of 69 on the Blue Course featuring two birdies, two bogeys and that hole-in-one ensured he comfortably made the 36-hole cut which fell at four-over-par.

Harper then carded the joint lowest final round of the 130 survivors with a four-under 67 on Blue Course which was matched by four other players. He had seven birdies and three bogeys, and only two pars on an eventful front nine.

It gave him a five-under-par three-round total of 210 and earned him £766.67. Harper was three shots behind winner Paul Grannell and two ahead of former Walker Cup star Luke Goddard, who boasts European Tour experience.

The full article will appear in Friday’s Rye Observer.