Chris Doak's round of his life

- a 62 puts him within

striking distance of a place

on European Tour

Tartan Tour No 1 Chris Doak, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, produced the round of his life on Sunday - a nine-under-par, bogey-free 62 over the Red Course - to transform his fortunes in the European Tour Final Qualifying School at PGA Catalunya, Girona in North-east Spain.

The 30-year-old PGA Play-offs champion and Northern Open title-holder from Greenock Instead Chris not so much clawest his way up the standings but rocketed up them, from 107th - only the top 30 after six rounds will earn European Tour status - to 23rd position going into the final two rounds of this marathon test, not only of ability but endurance and nerve.

Doak's earlier performances in this stellar year for him has already earned him starts in some of the most lucrative events on the 2009 European circuit. But now he has his sights set on full playing rights on the Euorpean Tour.

"I knew I needed to do something just to make the cut so in the circumstances this has to be the best round of my career," said Doak, who had four birdies in a row twice on each half of a round superbly assembled.

"I felt my game was coming back in the third round and I knew I was ready just to go for it and knock the pins out. I have starts in some of the big events next year and if I can capitalise on that by winning a full tour card here then that will set me up for a very good season."

Doak is not the top Scot heading into the final two rounds. That honour is held by David Drysdale from Dunbar. He started today's fifth round tied for seventh place on 276 after a fourth-round 70.

Drysdale is six shots off the pace, now being set by Yorkshireman Danny Willett who leads on 270.

Full marks and fingers crossed for the sustained performance by Andrew Coltart who has looked more like the Ryder Cup player he once was - he played in the same Europe team as Paul Lawrie.

Coltart had a fourth-round 71 to be in joint 13th place on 278. Hang on in there, Andrew!

Scottish Amateur champion Callum Macaulay - he will shed his amateur status at the conclusion of this tournament - kept his hopes of a full tour card alive with a 69. He is sharing 19th place on 279.

"I know I've got a Challenge Tour card because I've made the cut here but now I'm itching to get the big one," said the 24-year-old from Tulliallan.

Former Scottish amateur champion from Windyhill, Andrew McArthur, needing a birdie on his last hole to make the cut at one-under-par somehow contrived to finish with a five-putt triple-bogey for a 75 to miss by four shots on a 289.

So sad for Lloyd Saltman, the man every pundit thought would walk on to the European Tour. No one can question his skilll but he lurches from one extreme to another. After an 80 on Saturday, Lloyd conjuted up an excellent 67 on Sunday but it was too little too late. He is sidelined with a five-over-par total of 291.

Eight Scots in all were packing their bags after four rounds, including former Scottish amateur champion Graham Gordon, Peter Whiteford and Andrew Oldcorn.

+Scottishgolfview.com wishes to thank man-on-the-spot Nick Rodger for much of the above information.