KEY POINTS:
Wellington golfer Gareth Paddison held strong over a tension-filled 18 holes in Spain this morning (NZ time) to secure his long-coveted card on the European Tour.
Paddison, 27, will tee-off alongside Europe's elite players next year after finishing tied for 22nd in the Tour School Final at the San Roque Club.
The top 30 players plus ties win cards for 2008 and Paddison's three-under tally over six rounds afforded him full playing rights next year by just one shot.
He began his final round at the New Course in 24th place but quickly dropped out of the leading group with a bogey at the par-four third hole and a double-bogey at the par-three fourth.
However, the left-hander kept his composure on his way to a one-over 73.
Birdies on the par-four 10th and 12th holes launched the revival and he parred the last six holes, fully aware that any slip would consign him for a sixth year on the secondary European Challenge Tour.
"I just played ok today but I played well enough to secure my card in the end," Paddison told Radio Sport.
"It felt just average but I was very nervous coming into the last five holes because there are a couple of tough finishing holes."
Paddison's key round was the fifth yesterday when he carded a five-under 67 on the Old Course to climb 30 places.
Austrian Martin Wiegele won the six-round event, finishing 11-under.
Paddison finished 23rd on this year's Challenge Tour moneylist, missing out on qualifying automatically for the European Tour by just 1603 euros ($3170).
He made a breakthrough victory on the secondary tour in July, winning the AGF-Allianz Opens de Volcans in France.
The world No 398-ranked player will join Michael Campbell on next year's Tour.
New Zealander Steve Alker failed to retain his card after securing it in the tournament at San Roque last November.
Paddison was to land in Melbourne tomorrow shortly before playing the Australian Masters.
He will then contest the New Zealand Open in Queenstown next week.
- NZPA
