Ballymena's Dermot McElroy edged closer to a place on the European Tour after securing a place at Tour School final following a superb level par round of 71 at Lumine Golf & Beach Club in Tarragona, Spain.

High winds meant yesterday’s final round was postponed until this morning. The 20-year-old Irish amateur started the day in a tie for 25th place, knowing that only the top 18 golfers from the venue, one of four used at the penultimate stage of qualifying, would make it to Tour School.

The phrase finely judged was certainly applicable in his case as his 71 guaranteed him 18th place on his own. He had two birdies and two bogeys in his round for a 72-hole total of five under regulation figures.

He will now join fellow Irishman David Higgins, Ruaidhri McGee and Kevin Phelan as they try and earn the right to play on the European Tour next season over six rounds – there is a cut after four – at PGA Golf du Cataluyna outside Girona, starting on Sunday.