Nov. 30, 2012

OXFORD, Miss. – Former Ole Miss All-SEC golfer Callum Macaulay fired a 6-under at the final qualifying stage on Thursday to qualify for The European Tour for 2013.

Macaulay, who played on the European Tour in 2007 and 2008, needed a birdie on the final hole at the PGA Catalunya course in Gerona, Spain to earn his tour card for next season after having rolled in a 15-foot putt for a crucial par at the 17th. The Scotsman approached the 463-yard par four, having not birdied the hole all week in three attempts.

He was left with a three iron to the green and when it flew 25 feet past the hole just off the putting surface, his hopes were looking slim. But the 29-year old pulled it out of the bag before a roar of ‘get in there’ rang around the stunning Stadium Course.

“I just had to get the putt going and it straightened up with about six feet to go and rolled in,” Macaulay told EuropeanTour.com. “My emotion just got the better of me then. When I saw it straighten up I thought, ‘this is it’. I'm just delighted to be back playing on The European Tour again. To be honest, there were times in the last two years when I thought I would never be back there again and my game was going backwards, but I cannot wait to get back.”

“Callum is a great player that just loves the game of golf,” said Ole Miss head coach Ernest Ross. “He improved his game more at Ole Miss than just about any player we have had. He continues to improve and can really just play. I am tremendously proud of him and excited for his upcoming opportunities.”

Macaulay, who has played on the European Challenge Tour for the past three years, posted a six-round total of 422 to finish in a tie for 20th. A letterwinner from 2003-2007, Macaulay earned All-SEC honors in 2007 and led the Rebels to the 2007 NCAA East Regional.