Coughlan and Head share Q School honours at La Cala

Claire Coughlan and her fiancé David

Coughlan bogeyed the 10th and birdied the 16th and 18th holes for a back nine of 35, one-under-par, which drew her level with the more experienced Englishwoman.

“It just feels tremendous,” said Coughlan, from Little Island in Cork. “I’ve had my fiancé David on the bag and we’ve enjoyed ourselves this week. We didn’t have too many expectations. It’s a new experience so we just thought we’ll see what happens.”

Coughlan’s fiancé David Ryan is a golf professional at Cahir Park GC in Tipperary.

Head, who is a two-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, played most of her golf in Japan from 2003-2005 and lost her Ladies European Tour card which necessitated a return to Q School. She will head to LPGA Tour School in America next week, but was understandably delighted to regain her European playing privileges.

“It’s a relief because I never thought I would have to come back here,” said Head, who is the twin sister of LPGA Tour professional Johanna. “I’m really pleased I’ve come though because it’s been a great experience. It’s great to come back and play in this sort of thing because sometimes when you keep your card every year you get ahead of yourself. I think that some of the players who have kept their cards would struggle to get through Tour School if they had to come back here.”