Jason Scrivener is into the top 10 at the final stage of European Tour School after a fifth round 67 at the PGA Catalunya Resort in Spain.
An eagle on the par-5 12th hole highlighted Scrivener’s day, as he made five birdies and just two bogeys on his way around the Tour Course.
On 11-under par and tied for 9th, Scrivener will take a four shot buffer into the sixth and final round. If the Mandurah golfer remains in the top 25, he will re-gain his Category 15 status for the 2016 season.
Joining Scrivener in the top 25 are fellow Aussies Dimi Papadatos (T18) and Daniel Gaunt (T24), who are both clinging to narrow margin overnight.
One shot back of the 7-under mark that will deliver tour status is Nick Cullen in a tie for 31st. Five back on 2-under is Scott Arnold, while a 3-over round of 75 dashed David Bransdon’s hopes as he fell well behind the mark at 1-over par.
A nervous night may awaits all participants, but some may sleep better than others. Both Jason Scrivener and Daniel Gaunt enjoy a Category 16 safety net even if they drop out of the top-25.
Finishing 117th and 121st respectively in the order of merit, Scrivener and Gaunt narrowly missed full status for the 2016 European Tour — but they still earned limited status thanks to their top 125 finishes.
But the pair returned to Q-School as the cards on offer are one rung higher on the ladder, and Jason Scrivener is well aware that even one extra start is enough to change the direction of a career.
At the season ending Hong Kong Open, Scrivener fell one shot short of the top three finish he needed to earn full status. With a full tour card Scrivener could avoid the perilous Q-School altogether, while being able to plan his schedule around the most lucrative events, or most suitable courses for his game.
For Scrivener and Gaunt, that goal is at least one year away, and a solid performance tomorrow night will make achieving that goal slightly easier.