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Michael Harradine earns place in final stage of Asian Tour Qualifying School

Joy Chakravarty

19:25 07/01/2017

The Dubai-based amateur, a multiple winner of the Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit, shot a five-under par 67 in his final round at Suvarnabhumi Golf & Country Club in Thailand Saturday, 5thus improving to tied first place at 22-under par alongside Janne Kaske of Finland (64) and American Sejun Yoon (66).

A total of 51 players progressed to the Final Stage from Stage B, which was held over two golf courses – Suvarnabhumi and Windsor Park Golf Club.

Harradine began the day one shot behind overnight leader Junhyeok Park of Korea, and despite a good start which saw him birdie the first and third holes, he had a mid-round wobble and a double bogey on the ninth hole saw him make the turn at one-under for the round.

But he recovered on the back nine, making two birdies and the eagle on the 18th, where he hit a superb three-wood second shot close to the flag.

Speaking to Sport360 from Bangkok, Harradine said: “I’m obviously very happy to have made it through the stage and especially having played so well.  I just hope I haven’t used up all my good golf before next week!

“The first two days I played really well overall, long game and short game just clicked all round. I was hitting a lot of fairways and greens and then making a lot of putts too. It all seemed quite easy.

“Then the third and fourth rounds were hard work. My long game was all over the place during the third round. I was in the trees off the tee and hit it into the water once, but I somehow managed not to drop a shot by making a lot of par putts.

“Today was a bit of a mix. Started really well and thought it was going to be another round like the first two, but halfway through the round I lost my driver again and made a bogey and double bogey.

“From the 11th hole onwards, my tee shots got better again and I started to make a few birdies again. And then to make an eagle on the last was a good finish to an up-and-down day.”

The 33-year-old Swiss credited his local caddie for playing a big role in his success.

“I must say my caddie helped me loads…she’s a local caddy from the course called Pi, and she has given me pretty much every read. Without her I wouldn’t have shot the score I did,” he added.

“Now I just have to get ready for next week and hope I can keep the momentum going.”

The all-important Final Stage will be held at Suvarnabhumi from January 11 to 14, where the top-35 and ties after four rounds will earn their Tour cards for 2017.

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