The dream of a European Tour card edged a little closer to becoming a reality for the successful qualifiers from The European Tour Qualifying School - Second Stage and now the focus turns to next week's Final examination at PGA Golf de Catalunya.

At Sherry Golf, play was delayed for over two and a half hours on Saturday morning and the final qualifying place was finally decided on Sunday. The first 18 players, led by Frenchman Julien Guerrier, went through the previous evening but seven players returned to the course in the morning for a play-off for the 19th and final spot. That went to Scot Lloyd Saltman (top image). Unfortunately David Higgins (caddy-ed by Enjoy Cadiz Golf) didn't succeed in making an up-and-down after mssing the first green of the sudden death play-off hole and missed his change to conceed a tour card. 

Santiago Luna led the charge from Arcos Gardens as 21 players secured a place in the field for the Final Stage. Luna, a former European Tour Champion, was in command throughout and ultimately won by five strokes after a final round of 69 for an 18 under par 270.

England's James Ruth was second but with the main goal being qualification the focus was on those on the bubble. The battle for a place in the Final Stage went to the wire with England's Brett Taylor and Frenchman Dominic Nouailhac claiming the last two of the 21 qualification places after a six-man play-off.

There was also a dramatic finish at Costa Ballena Club de Golf with eight players locked on eight under par and vying for the final qualifying spot. A play-off ensued and Chilean Benjamin Alavarado came up trumps with an eagle three at the first play-off hole to the secure the 19th and final ticket for a place in the field for the Final Stage. At the upper end of the qualifiers, there were four players who shared top spot - Jordi Garcia Pinto of Spain, Julien Grillon of France, England's Jamie Moul and American Nathan Smith - all tied at 16 under par 272.

At Montenmedio Golf and Country Club, Paraguay's Fabrizio Zanotti (right image) comfortably secured top qualifying place by six shots from Frenchman Anthony Snobeck. And in the fight for the 20 qualifying places, no play-off was required the six players finished tied on two under par to claim the final berths bound for PGA Golf de Catalunya.

A total of 79 players from the 309 in action across the four venues staging the Second Stage progress to The European Tour Qualifying School - Final Stage, which starts next Thursday at PGA Golf de Catalunya. The top 30 and ties at the end of that six-round examination will earn the coveted European Tour card and this year, for the first time, the successful graduates will be competing in The Race to Dubai.