Golf: Manley makes precious cut

Nov 2 2007 by Phil Blanche, Western Mail

STUART MANLEY finished joint second in the final event on the Challenge Tour to lift himself into the top 10 of the rankings and secure a place on the European Tour for next season.

He lifted himself from 15th to 10th in the rankings with his performance at the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final, level with fellow Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who can also look forward to returning to the top tour next year with a fourth placing overall.

Only the top 10 are guaranteed their place for next season, so it was not such good news for many other Welsh players as the normal tour seasons ended last weekend.

On the main European Tour, Garry Houston failed to lift himself into the top 60 who qualify to play in the tour finale in Valderrama.

He finished 93rd, but it was worse news for Kyron Sullivan, Mark Pilkington, David Park and Sion Bebb, who all lost their cards and can now look forward to qualifying school.

Former European Grand Prix champion Park finished 166th on the money list and is probably the most surprising casualty this season.