Rory Smith 'excited' to be in Spain for DP World Tour Q-School second stage

Rory Smith took route 66 to Spain for this week’s DP World Tour Qualifying School second stage and hopes to be inspired by that as he bids to keep his card dream alive.

Smith, who is attached to Dalmahoy Golf & Country Club, is among a posse of Scots teeing up at four venues as the battle commences for coveted main-tour cards next season.

The Dispatch Trophy winner’s assignment is at Isla Canela Links in Huelva, where he joins fellow Lothians man David Rudd, as well as 2022 Tartan Pro Tour Order of Merit winner Jack McDonald and Greg Dalziel.

Smith was facing an early exit from the card battle before closing with a 66 - the day’s joint-best score - to come through his first stage test at The Players Club in Bristol along with compatriot Michael Stewart.

Rory Smith, who is attached to Dalmahoy Golf & Country Club, is excited to be taking part in this week's DP World Tour Qualifying School second stage in Spain.

“I’m excited to get started this week,” he said. “I was a little nervy about booking a place here after I finished the last round at the Players Club a couple of months back. Finishing bogey bogey, I thought I had thrown my spot away, but I was delighted when I saw I qualified.

“It gave me a great buzz as I knew I had to shoot a low one to qualify and to shoot 66 to make it on the number is a personal high from this season.”

Cockburnspath-based David Drysdale is also among those teeing up this week after the seasoned DP World Tour campaigner finished outside the top 155 in this season’s standings.

Four-time tour winner Stephen Gallacher will enter the scramble for 25 cards at next week’s final stage along with Peebles player Craig Howie after they also came up short in the standings.

“Obvious goal is to make it through to the final stage,” said Smith. “Having walked the front nine on Sunday afternoon and speaking to Jack McDonald about the place, it sounds like some low scores will be had.

“But, as I do every week, I’ll give it 100 per cent and, if it’s good enough, then amazing, if not, I can be proud of myself to have gotten to this stage and look to build on this for 2023.”