Stephen Grant begins chasing his US Tour card todayFormer soccer star Stephen Grant is one of five Irish hopefuls set to tee it up in the First Stage of the PGA Tour Quaifying School today.

Nick Dougherty. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieNick Dougherty confessed that he could end up in the nuthouse if he reflects for too long on how poorly he’s played this year.

Keeping things in perspective is crucial for the 156 hopefuls who will tee it up in the first round of the European Tour Qualifying School finals at PGA Catalunya over the next six days.

But while players such as Waterville’s David Higgins and Liverpudlian Nick Dougherty have tasted the big time and know what it takes to get there, juggling desire and expectations with mounting pressure is the big challenge for the less experienced campaigners at Denis O’Brien’s 36-hole Catalan resort.