Raymond Russell seeks further Tour opportunities

Raymond Russell, fresh from securing a place on the European Tour in Saturday's Apulia San Domenico Grand Final in Italy, was heading for the south of France today aiming to bolster his playing schedule for the 2011 campaign.

The 38-year-old from Prestonpans, the Cannes Open champion back in 1996, made a dramatic return to the main circuit at the weekend after sharing 12th place in the Challenge Tour season finale.

That result, sealed with a battling three-under 68 for a one-under 283, lifted Russell from 21st on the order of merit to 19th, with just the leading 20 earning promotion to the European Tour.

As one of the lower qualifiers, Russell, a winner on the third-tier Alps Tour this year, will have a limited number of starts on the tour but, having clawed his way back up the pro ladder, it is still a huge step in the right direction for a man who lost his card in 2005 and then had a year on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

The former World Cup player will head for the tour's qualifying school final in Spain in December to try and beef up his ranking while this week's Allianz Tour Grand Final offers more rewards.

"I lead the Allianz Tour's order of merit and the winner of that gets into next year's French Open," explained Russell. "It's another opportunity for me and I'll try and make the most of it. The qualifying school could also offer me more chances so I might as well do it. There are more reasons to go than not to."

Russell's fellow Scots, George Murray and Scott Jamieson will have the next few weeks off before preparing for the start of the 2011 Race to Dubai in South Africa just before Christmas.

Murray, the Scottish Hydro Challenge winner in June, cemented his place in the top-ten of the order of merit with a share of 12th on Saturday while Jamieson, last year's EuroPro Tour No 1, sealed a second professional promotion in a row as he tied for 17th in Italy to finish 14th on the final money-list.

Kent rookie Matt Haines captured his maiden pro title with a sparkling five-under 66 for 276.