Six DP World Tour winners who won’t have a tour card next season

It’s the halfway stage at DP World Tour Q-School in Spain and that means one thing – the dreaded cut.

Since its inception in 1976, the qualifying series has provided players from all over the world with a platform to dine at Europe’s top table.

Former Silver Medal winner Filippo Celli leads the way after four rounds, with tour winners Tom Lewis, John Catlin and Kiradech Aphibarnrat among the chasing pack.

After the six-day marathon, the top 25 and ties will earn their DP World Tour card for 2024.

But with all the success stories comes heartbreak, too, as only the top 75 in the field make it
through to the final two days.

That leaves 80 players on their way home from Infinitum Golf, and among them are a few players who have staked their claim on tour.

A few familiar faces will have to look for other routes next season, so here are six DP World Tour winners who have missed the cut at Q-School.

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Joakim Lagergren

At just 31 years old, Lagergren is a six-time winner, but will not have a DP World Tour card next season.

The Swede claimed his first European Tour title in 2018 and finished in the top three at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2019 and 2021.

Lagergren played a full schedule on the circuit this season, although recorded just one finish inside the top 50.

David Howell

The record-breaking Englishman won’t have a DP World Tour card for the 2024 season after a torrid week in Spain.

The 48-year-old became only the third golfer to reach 700 appearances on the circuit and is the youngest to do so.

Howell picked up five titles throughout a respected career, including a win over Tiger Woods at the 2005 HSBC Champions.

Alvaro Quiros

One of two prolific Spaniards to miss the cut, Alvaro Quiros finished in a tie for 110th place at Q-School to miss the cut.

The Dubai World Championship in 2011 was the highlight of his seven triumphs on tour, edging Paul Lawrie for a second time.

The 40-year-old had to wait another six years to win the last of his titles, as he edged Zander Lombard in a play-off in 2017, ten years after making his debut.

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Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano

Another seven-time winner, fellow Spaniard Fernandez-Castano marked 2005 as his rookie year. He won for the first time that year, eight years before clinching the BMW Masters.

Play-offs were no bother for the 43-year-old, who won four of his titles in sudden-death.

It wasn’t to be for the veteran this time around, though, as Fernandez-Castano retired after three rounds on eight-over-par.

Joachim B. Hansen

The 33-year-old Dane has been on the decline for a little while now, making just two appearances on the DP World Tour this year.

Hansen made his debut on the circuit in 2012 and has lifted two titles in recent seasons. He claimed his first at the Joburg Open in 2020 before repeating the heroics the following year.

The second win came at the AVIV Dubai Championship, where Hansen fended off Francesco Laporta and Bernd Weisberger to triumph by a stroke.

Oliver Fisher

Having played in the inaugural season of LIV Golf, Fisher tried to earn his DP World Tour card back this week.

But the 35-year-old Englishman struggled, carding one round under par across four days. He made the cut in his first five tour starts in 2007 before winning for the first time in 2011.

The successful amateur enjoyed a fruitful start to his career but has failed to find his feet in 2023.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.