On the line

There is no emotional grey area at Tour School – it’s either agony or ecstasy.

Liam Bond has endured both of these in recent years having gone through the six days of physical and mental trauma in which careers are put firmly on the line.

He will join 155 others, including past Ryder Cup players and a host of others with Tour wins under their belt, hoping to string together six consistent rounds of golf that will open the doors to a potential season of riches on the European Tour.

Just 25 cards are on offer at PGA Catalunya where a mix of past Ryder Cup players, multiple Tour winners, journeyman professionals and up-and-coming hopefuls from across the globe will do battle.

Bond returns again this week for what will be the 19th time in his career, seeking to maintain the form that has brought him this far.

As he prepares another attempt, the 43-year-old, who swept to the PGA in England (West) Order of Merit title this year, opened up about the tense atmosphere at Tour school.

“I have experienced it all at Tour School including very recently,” he said.

“In 2009 I bogeyed the last two holes and missed out on a card by one shot. The following year I went back and finished sixth to secure my card for the first time.

“So I go there this week knowing what to expect. But people who have never been have no idea how mentally tough and draining it is by the end of it.

“You also have the guys who have been on Tour for years and enjoying the high life and the priveleges that brings. They now find themselves in an alien environment and that comes as a shock to them too.

“This is not like a tour event by any stretch of the imagination. This isn’t like playing for thousands of pounds and knowing there’s another tournament next week. This is your whole year on the line and for some their career is hanging by a thread.

“Consequently, there’s a tense awful atmosphere. The camaraderie you get on Tour just isn’t there because there is just so much at stake.

“For all this is the dream. The focus is to get on the European Tour because this is what we all want.

“But if you don’t play well this week, that’s it for at least another year.”

Bond has come through eight rounds of golf already via first and second stage, and is now ready for one final push, drawing on his experiences to get him across the line.

“It’s just about staying calm throughout,” he said.

“It isn’t about attacking the flag and taking on every shot, it’s about being consistent and steady and making sure you make as few or no mistakes.

“It’s a long six days and the aim has to be to make it through to the last day because players have made that cut and then had two great rounds and got a card.

“Ideally, going into those final two days you want to be there or thereabouts. The time I got my card in 2010 I was in the top 10 all week and got as high as fifth. But that final day, I shot one over and found myself finishing 19th. That’s how tight the margins are. It’s an awful feeling to be sliding down the leaderboard on the final day.”

Bond has set himself a target of being in the top 10 again this week, and reflected on what it was like to finally succeed at Tour school.

“It is so difficult to describe that feeling when you get your card,” he said.

“It’s the chance to play against the biggest players on the world scene and to make such a difference to your career. It’s not easy but it can be achieved.

“I was at the first stage of this year’s Q-school at Fulford Heath with Jin Jeong. He got an invite to the event in Australia last month and went on to win it. It got him a two year exemption and more than £200,000. That’s why we all do it.”