Slattery is in the money again after going down a storm on Costa del Sol

Lee Slattery made an immediate return to the European Tour after sharing second place in the qualifying school final at San Roque on Spain's Costa del Sol yesterday. The 29-year-old from Southport harnessed the menacing gusts which buffeted the New Course and posted a closing 72 for a nine-under aggregate of 423 to finish two shots behind the No 1 qualifier, Martin Wiegele of Austria.

Slattery, a former Challenge Tour order of merit winner, lost his tour card at the end of the season by £50 on the rankings but responded to the blow over the past six days. After a battling final round which included three bogeys, a double-bogey and a haul of a five birdies, Slattery, who finished alongside Spaniard Pedro Linhart, said: "I feel I belong on the European Tour and it is good to bounce straight back.

"I arrived here fresh after a couple of weeks off and I thought that might give me an advantage. It has paid off. After missing out by one place on the order of merit, it's good to come here and achieve what I have achieved."