Dantorp still chasing European Tour dream in Girona

Jens Dantorp’s dreams of European Tour promotion remain on track after the Swede finished day two of the Qualifying School Final Stage in outright second place thanks to a two under par round of 68 at PGA Catalunya Resort.

That moved the 24 year old to eight under par and just two shots behind the leader, John Hahn of the USA, heading into the third of six rounds at the gruelling 108 hole marathon.

Over the Tour Course, generally regarded as the easier of the two lay-outs at the sprawling venue near the city of Girona, Dantorp started steadily with five consecutive pars before a couple of birdies at the sixth and eight holes took him to the turn in two under par.

He picked up another shot at the tenth but a double-bogey at the par four 15th knocked him back before finishing with a birdie that moved him to eight under par for the tournament.

Dantorp, who won the prestigious Rolex Trophy on the European Challenge Tour in August, is happy with his game at the moment but is keen not to get carried away with another four rounds still to be played in what is one of the toughest examinations of stamina in golf.

“I had one bad hole and the rest was as solid as the first day but I just didn’t putt as well today,” said the Malmo man. “I hit a few really good putts but read them wrong so there’s no panic, they just didn’t drop today. I feel good right now though.

“It was shorter clubs into the greens on the Tour course but the first day was just an awesome round from tee to green and I also holed some putts.

“Usually you get a reaction, sometimes bad, from a good round so I was just trying to keep the focus and play it one shot at a time so I'm happy with my score today. There are still 72 holes left so the tournament really starts now. I just have to keep focussed.

“It’s a marathon so you just have to save energy and don’t get mad if you hit a few bad shots, everyone is going to do that out here so just focussing on the next shot is the key for me this week.”

Having finished 21st in the Challenge Tour Rankings this season, Dantorp feels his game is ready for The European Tour and he is delighted with how he has progressed since winning the satellite Nordic Golf League by a record margin in 2011.

“I would love to get to The European Tour,” he said. “My main goal this season was top 15 in the Challenge Tour and if I couldn’t do that I would hopefully get another chance at Qualifying School so this is my last chance, but I enjoy this because it matters so much.

“If I don’t make it I think I will have some chances on The European Tour next year so it’s all a step forward for me. I have nothing to lose this week and a lot to gain.

“I played well this year but didn’t get as many top tens as I needed so in some ways I'm not that disappointed. I feel like I'm going in the right direction and that feels good.

“I'm a more solid player now. A few years ago I could maybe shoot lower rounds but they were mixed in with some really high ones so my game is much better.”

Dantorp’s compatriot and fellow Challenge Tour winner this season, Jens Fahrbring, was one of six players a shot further back in a tie for third place on seven under after the 29 year old carded the best round of the day on the Tour Course, a six under par 64.

Michael Jonzon is in tied eighth place on six under after a level par second round of 72 on the Stadium Course, while European Tour winner Fredrik Andersson Hed is another shot back on five under after a two under 68 over the Tour Course.