Fraser Mann wins back senior tour card

Fraser Mann made an instant return to the European Senior Tour last night after sharing fourth in the qualifying school final at the Pinta course in Portugal.

The former Scottish PGA champion, who lost his place on the over-50s circuit after a tough rookie season, fired a two-under 69 for a two-under 282 and grabbed one of the six full cards up for grabs.

Mann, who came through the q-school last year, quit his job as Musselburgh head pro to give the Senior Tour a go but his best result was 28th at last month's Sicilian Open. The 50-year-old will get another chance next season after a solid closing round left him seven shots behind winner Tim Thelen of the US.

St Andrews-born Gordon Manson, leading the field with a round to play, dropped down into a share of seventh on 283 after a 75 and had to settle for one of the alternate cards for 2011. Sweden-based Scot Terry Burgoyne secured the 15th of 16 cards with a 286 after a 71 but former Northern Open champion Peter Smith missed out after shooting 71 for 287.

Meanwhile, Russell Knox's bid to join the PGA Tour got off to a good start in stage two of the qualifying school. The Inverness exile shot six birdies in an opening four-under 68 at Southern Hills Plantation in Florida to share eighth, four strokes behind early leader David Branshaw, with the top 19 after 72 holes qualifying for the final.

Lloyd Saltman warmed up for next week's European Tour qualifying school with a second place finish in the Hi5 Pro Tour's Altorreal Open in Murcia. He closed with a three-under 69 for a 14-under 202 but was pipped to the title by Portugal's Tiago Cruz, who had a 68 for 201. Carnoustie's Eric Ramsay was fifth on 210, while Saltman's brother Elliot shared 17th on 215.