While most of Europe's aspiring tour players are battling it out in the Pre-Qualifying I in England this week, Keith Nolan is pursuing a different route in his quest for a tour card. Nolan - who turned professional after Britain and Ireland's defeat by the United States in last month's Walker Cup match at Quaker Ridge - made his debut in the paid ranks on the Nike Tour last weekend (missing the cut at the tournament in Colorado) and this week plays in San Jose.

A graduate of East Tennessee State, the Bray golfer was signed up by Mark McCormack's IMG sports management group after the Walker Cup and has chosen to attempt to win his Nike Tour card, with the option to possibly play in the European Tour's Pre-Qualifying II next month.