Liphook’s Sam Hutsby finished in a tie for 44th position at European Tour qualifying school.

The Hampshire player failed to achieve the top 25 placing needed to secure his playing rights for the 2013 season.

However, by virtue of making the cut at Spain’s PGA Catalunya Resort, Hutsby did earn a Challenge Tour card.

That will come as some relief to the 24-year-old, who had to begin his qualifying school bid at the second of the competition’s three stages.

Had Hutsby fallen at that hurdle, or not made the cut at the final stage, he would have had no playing rights for next season.

Hutsby began his final round with little chance of making the top 25.

He needed to pick up seven shots, in order to improve his two-over-par total for the first five rounds to the necessary five-under.

Hutsby did, however, enjoy a fairly serene final day, carding two birdies and a bogey in amongst a slew of pars, as he signed for a one-under-par 71 on the Stadium Course.

That improved his overall score to six-over.