South African target for James (From Bournemouth Echo)

South African target for James

7:00am Saturday 21st November 2009 in

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DORSET’S Lee James is hoping to play in the first two European Tour events of the 2010 season, regardless of where he finishes at this month’s Qualifying School.

The Broadstone player has entered both the Alfred Dunhill Championship and South African Open in December before he travels to Spain next week.

“I’ve been told my Challenge Tour category of 21-45 played in the same events last year, so I’ve entered both of them,” said James, who tees up at the Quali-fying School on November 28.

“Entries close after the final round of Qualifying School (December 3) and if I get in to both of them I will definitely make the trip to South Africa.”

James finished 29th on the final Challenge Tour order of merit – missing out on a European Tour card by just nine places.

It means a seventh successive visit to the Qualifying School for the 1994 British Amateur Champion. The tournament is being held at the PGA Golf de Catalunya in Girona for the second year running.

“Hopefully I can take my form of the last three weeks into the competition,” said James, who needs to finish in the top 30 after six gruelling rounds to win back his playing privileges.

“I’ve been hitting the ball well and keeping it in play, so if I can sink a few putts I’m in with a shout,” he added.

James claimed his card in 2007 by finishing a creditable seventh, but missed the cut after four rounds last year despite being in the top 30 after the third day.

The Alfred Dunhill Championship is at Leopard Creek on December 10-13 while the South African Open is a week later in the Western Cape.