Ferrier tries his luck in two schools

PAUL Ferrier, one of Scotland’s leading amateurs last season, has returned from America to try his luck in this season’s European Tour Qualifying School.

The Baberton player, who reached the semi-finals of the Amateur Championship at Troon last year before returning to Ayrshire to help Scotland win the Home Internationals at Glasgow Gailes, is in the line-up for the first stage event starting today at The Roxburghe, near Kelso.

“I’m playing in both the European and US Tour schools, so hopefully have a lot of golf coming up,” said Ferrier, who has been playing on mini-Tours in the States since he turned professional.

“I’ve been playing well in spots and have got myself into contention a few times,” he said. “I’ve learned a whole lot about the pro game and am excited to test everything I’ve learned.”

Ferrier’s rivals in this week’s 72-hole event in the Borders include Englishman Zane Scotland, who qualified for the 1999 Open at Carnoustie as a 16-year-old, as well as experienced European Tour duo Steven O’Hara and Gary Murphy.

John Henry, the younger bother of Scott, is also among those setting out at the start of a potential 14-round marathon that ends in November.