Lynn Kenny, Krystle Caithness, Vikki Laing and Pamela Feggans were Scots with reason to celebrate after they all won full cards for this season’s Ladies’ European Tour at the Final Qualifying School at La Manga.

And Scottish Amateur Champion Michele Thomson also gained a secondary category after the final round of the pressure-packed test over the South course at the Spanish Resort. 

Caithness (St Regulus) and Thomson (Ellon McDonald), who were both members of last year’s Curtis Cup team at St. Andrews, had entered as amateurs, but they have now both turned professional.

With the top 30 claiming full playing rights, Archerfield’s Kenny cruised to third place with a final day level par 73 and a seven under par total, while Caithness, who will be 20 on Tuesday, also shot 73 for three under and joint seventh. 

Musselburgh’s Laing, who had been outside the top 40 at halfway, shot a second successive 71 for one over par and a tie for 14th place. A winner on the US Futures Tour in 2007 and now entering her sixth season sixth season as a professional, it was third time lucky for the 27-year-old at the European School and she can now look forward to making her mark in her rookie year on the circuit. 

Feggans, who also competed on last year’s US Futures circuit, had a slightly shaky 76, but the Ayrshire 26-year-old comfortably made the mark on three over par and 20th spot.

Thomson was disappointed to drop a shot at the last for a 78 and missed the top 30 by a frustrating single shot. 

But the good news is that a share of 31st place on seven over par should guarantee entry to the majority of the tournaments – and she could be upgraded to full category if she makes a good start to the year.

“I’m a bit disappointed to miss out by a single shot,” admitted the 21-year-old, after completing her eighth round in a pressure-packed nine days that covered the pre and final qualifying. “But I’m definitely going to turn professional and, hopefully, I will get to play in plenty tournaments. 

“During the season, there are a couple of reclassifications, so there is a chance to move into full category.  Now I’m looking forward to starting my new career.”

The five Scots will be joining Clare Queen as Tour members this year – the Carrick 25-year-old easily held her card by finishing 48th on the 2008 New Star Money List. 

Anna Nordqvist, a highly rated Swede, took the Tour School honours with a final round 68 and a 13 under par total. She finished three ahead of Australian Francis Bondad.