Ones to watch at Q School: nine Brits and Irish chasing a tour card

Q School's final stage starts tomorrow but, unfortunately, it isn’t televised. If you’re like me, keeping tabs on every Irishman or Brit can feel like a part-time job.

I’ve rounded up nine players worth following below and what time they are teeing off.

The stakes

What they're playing for

For those who don’t know, Q School is the qualifying competition for the DP World Tour. The leading 15 (and ties) earn Category 18 membership for 2027 (a place in the queue for DP World Tour starts, not an invitation to everything).

Card winners also get fully exempt HotelPlanner Tour status.

Ones to watch

Cameron Adam

The 23-year-old from Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh starts at 09:45, exempt into Final Stage after finishing 133rd in his rookie Race to Dubai season. He earned that first card through the Global Amateur Pathway and already has a full HotelPlanner card for next year.

'I've felt my game has been more than enough there, but it's just not totalled up on the scorecard,' he told the Scotsman.

Graeme Robertson

Glenbervie's Robertson turned professional in 2021, aged 33, becoming a dad had put his career on hold (I think we can all relate).

He's through First and Second Stage, with eight consecutive HotelPlanner cuts behind him and a six-under closing round at Desert Springs. He also won all five of his matches in last month's PGA Cup.

His week starts at 10:50.

'I feel like the last five years have been building towards an opportunity like this,' he told the Scotsman. At least there's plenty in the recent scores to explain why.

Ryan Lumsden

The Renaissance Club's Lumsden closed Second Stage at Desert Springs with a 64.

He starts at 09:10.

Aidan O'Hagan

O’Hagan came through First Stage at Dunham Forest and Second Stage at Isla Canela to reach this week’s final. He also won the Newmachar Classic on the Tartan Pro Tour earlier this year.

He starts at 09:10 (in a different group).

Eight Scots already hold cards for 2027, including Marc Warren, who regained his through the HotelPlanner Tour at 45.

The four above are trying to follow suit, fingers crossed.

Ronan Mullarney

Mullarney came through Dunham Forest, then shot 69, 67 and 67 at Isla Canela before a closing 64 containing nine birdies took him to tied fifth.

The nine birdies make me want to follow his 09:50 start.

Qualifying can sound like an exercise in avoiding mistakes. Mullarney seems to be good at that.

Niall Kearney

Kearney came through Huddersfield and then Las Pinaillas, where a third-round 66 helped him to a tied tenth.

He tees off at 11:00.

Gary Hurley

Hurley takes the other 09:50 start, in a different group from Mullarney.

He finished 12th at Fontanals with a bogey-free closing 65, including five birdies across eight holes.

Liam Nolan isn't here for a happier reason, the Galway man already earned his card through the HotelPlanner Tour Grand Final.

Jack Yule

Yule came from the Clutch Pro Tour to win his card here last year. Being back in November answers the question of whether he kept it.

He starts at 10:00.

Callum Tarren

Tarren shot 12 under at Isla Canela and still needed a play-off to get through Second Stage.

There's no such thing as a comfortable score at this stage.

He goes off at 10:40.

The field

Who they're up against

The field includes DP World Tour winners Thomas Pieters, Byeong Hun An and nine-time winner Pablo Larrazábal.

Edoardo Molinari won Final Stage in 2024. Two surgeries later, it looks like he is trying for a second.

Following along

How to follow

All times above are for round one, Friday 6 November, as displayed on the official tee sheet. Check it for updates and confirm the time zone before following along.

Follow the DP World Tour leaderboard or app, round by round. Check again in the afternoon, then follow Monday's cut to the top 60 and ties and Wednesday's top 15 and ties.

National Club Golfer has argued for television coverage. Ewen Murray's suggestion was to show the last two rounds, after the cut. I'd watch that.