MATT BLACKEY mounted an astonishing finish at Tour School to salvage his European Tour card.

The Southampton-based golfer birdied two of his last three holes - the 16th and 17th - to grasp the 31st and tied last card in the six-round qualifier at San Roque.

Blackey had lost his place on the European Tour after finishing outside the top 115 in the Volvo Order of Merit last month.

But a seven over par total in the torturous six-day event on Spain's Costa del Sol saw him dramatically regain his playing rights in European golf's super league.

He thought he'd lost out, though, when his second double bogey of the day, at the daunting, dog leg 13th, left him trailing in 46th place.

With the top 35 players and ties qualifying for their cards, Blackey was two shots off the pace with only five holes to play.

"I thought I was cooked," he admitted. "I just had to go for everything and, at the par three 16th I holed a 40-footer to give myself a glimmer of a chance.

"At the par five 17th, I reached the edge of the green in two, chipped up to 18 inches and holed the putt.

"But I pushed my tee shot at the last and hit my second left of the green, then left myself a ten-footer to save my card.

"It's the toughest putt I've had to hole. I just gritted my teeth and thankfully the ball went in. This week, I reached out and found capabilities I never knew I had.

"After two rounds, I was in 150th place and, if you'd offered me 31st, I'd have grabbed it with both hands."

Blackey battled back into contention with a 68 on Saturday and followed up with 74 and 71 to go into the final round in 30th spot.

But, after missing birdie chances at the first four holes yesterday, he slithered down to 47th place with a seven at the par five fifth. "I hit shanks for both my double bogeys and normally I never do that," he said.

A birdie at the tenth put him back into the top 35 but a six at 13 tested his nerve to the full.

"I have learned something about myself over the last few holes and I'll be stronger for it," he said.

He and ex-Ryder Cup winner Philip Walton, who also regained his card, will be in Hong Kong when the new season opens early next month.