Keith Nolan battled bravely for six gruelling rounds in a bid to secure his playing rights on the US PGA Tour next season but ultimately the Bray native came up three shots short of his target.

Nolan, who resides in America and last held a PGA tour card in 1997 and 2000, closed with a final round of 71 for a five-under 427 aggregate. However, that wasn't enough to get him into the top 30 and ties; instead he finished tied 46th as 40 players in all secured their US cards for next season.

If there is any consolation for Nolan, it's news that he is among the next 49 players who earned full status on the Nationwide Tour - the PGA Tour's equivalent to the European Challenge Tour. Other notables in this category include former two-time US Open champion Lee Janzen plus former tour winners Duffy Waldorf and Bob Burns.

The business end of proceedings was headed up by assistant club pro George McNeill who will have to pinch himself after winning the qualifying tournament and receiving the $50,000 winner's cheque.

McNeill closed with a five-under 67 on PGA West's Stadium Course, his fifth consecutive round in the 60s at one of the toughest tournaments in golf, giving him a five-shot victory over Robert Garrigus.

"I didn't feel like it was easy at any time, even today," said McNeill, who finished at 23-under 409. "I knew I was a shoe-in to get through, especially after nine holes. But I still wanted to keep pressing on."

McNeill's career has now come full circle because he had failed at Tour School on eight previous occasions and took up the assistant's job at Forest Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida. He then quit his job to give it one more try which has now paid off.

"I'm ready to see what I can do," added O'Neill.