Nick Marsh goes into this week’s European Tour Qualifying School at Frilford Heath in relaxed mood.
He has described his attempt to get a Tour card as a “win-win situation.”
The English Amateur Champion told the Examiner: “I’ve prepared as I do for any tournament and I’m not putting any pressure on myself.
“It is a win-win situation for me.
“It’s the first time I have played in it and I will use it as a gauge and to dip my toes in the water to see how I do.
“If I don’t qualify I will have learned a lot about my game and have been able to benchmark myself against professionals.
“And if I do get through, then all to the good.”
Round One of Q School starts in Oxfordshire on Tuesday when 20 will qualify from a field of 88.
The unassuming Marsh is quietly confident that he will make it through to the next round in Spain, which starts on November 7.
From here, the competition hots up. It’s a tough school for one of golf’s most coveted prizes: membership of The European Tour and a place among the golfing elite.
Around 1,000 competitors enter Q School each year.
A player progressing through all three stages has to play 252 holes under the most intense pressure.
The leading 25 players (plus those tied for 25th place) each earn Category 15 membership of The European Tour for the following season.
One factor at the back of Marsh’s mind will be the 2015 Walker Cup.
He said: “I don’t think the Walker Cup will define my career, but it will certainly be a factor in whatever decision I make this winter.”
