BASINGSTOKE golfer Stuart Archibald is hoping to move a step closer to a place on the European Tour by making it through the second stage of qualifying school this weekend.

The 29-year-old will compete against 78 other hopefuls over four rounds at Lumine Golf and Beach Club, in Tarragona, Spain, starting today, with only a handful making it through to final qualifying next week. However, Archibald believes that playing four events on the MENA Tour, in the Middle East, means he is better prepared than ever before.

“Playing on the MENA Tour has been perfect practice,” he said. “I have been playing in warm conditions, on tough and long golf courses.

“I have been competing against guys who are hitting it 50 yards further than me off the tee. I am confident in my own ability to adapt to whatever the golf course can throw at me.

“I have been playing well since June or July, just playing solid golf, which is something that has been missing over the past few years.

“Hopefully I can take that form into tour school. If I play the way I have been then I feel I have a good chance of getting my European Tour card.”

Archibald’s time on the MENA Tour ended with a second-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open last week. He ended the tournament on -5, one shot behind winner Stephen Dodd.

“I just left it a bit late on the final day, failing to make enough birdies,” he said. “I made birdies at 15 and 16 and had chances on 17 and 18. If I had taken them I could have got into a tie for the lead and forced a play-off.

“If I look at the four weeks, I had strong results and was consistent – but I feel I should have won an event.”