Edoardo Molinari and James Morrison prepare for Qualifying School to continue their long DP World Tour careers – article

After a total of 32 seasons on the DP World Tour, Edoardo Molinari and James Morrison face the challenge of winning back their card for the 2025 season via the Qualifying School.

For both of them, it’s a path they’ve been down before and they hope to tackle the six-lap marathon again next month at INFINITUM in Spain, which is the final stage.

With five DP World Tour titles and 857 starts between them, the life of a Tour pro has long been all they know. With that comes the ups and downs.

Of the two, Morrison had the best chance of breaking into the top 114 of the Race to Dubai rankings at the Genesis Championship in partnership with Rolex.

But despite qualifying in South Korea, the Englishman remained in 122nd place and, after successfully fighting for his card in 2017, 2018 and 2019, is now facing a return to Qualifying School for the first time since 2013.

“A mix of emotions,” said Morrison, who was unable to reach a top ten for the first time since 2008 – before he moved from the Challenge Tour to the DP World Tour.

“You come here wanting to be successful this week, but the course didn’t really play into my hands.

“I did my best, as you always have to do. I’ve been here before and crossed the border once. I didn’t do it this time, but it’s all good.”

Molinari, who memorably partnered his brother Francesco in the European Ryder Cup victory at Celtic Manor in 2010, failed to achieve a top ten finish for the first time since 2020, when the season was shortened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Italian last attended the Qualifying School in 2016 and secured his card for the second time in a row. After reaching 140th place in the rankings, he is ready to try again.

“It was a little difficult, I’m not playing very well, but I tried my best as always and it wasn’t enough,” Molinari said. “It’s golf, sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t.

“Obviously there were a few people in the bubble, very close by [to the 114 mark]. I was a little behind so I honestly didn’t have much pressure. It took a half-miracle to keep my card.

“We feel very privileged to do what we do. We play on the best golf courses in the world and under the best conditions. So I don’t think you can complain too much about whether you keep or lose your card. In other jobs the pressure is greater than ours.”

Despite being seasoned professionals, Final Stage requires you to give it your all when it counts – it’s pretty much your last chance to secure full gaming privileges for next year.

With that in mind, Morrison, 39, is aware that a new phase in his career could be on the horizon.

“15 years on tour is a long time,” he added in an interview in the Green Room.

I think the next chapter is just around the corner, which is pretty exciting and pretty scary at the same time – James Morrison

“This was my 430th event, so I think the next chapter is upon me, which is pretty exciting and pretty scary at the same time.

“I’d like to do some commentary at some point, but as they say, I’ve got a face for radio, so who knows.”

While their presence would undoubtedly represent a loss for the tour, both players appear philosophical about what lies ahead.

For Molinari, who will be Ryder Cup vice-captain for the second year in a row next year, a long season has been emotionally and physically draining.

Holding back tears, he said: “I am looking forward to spending some time at home with my children and wife. I really miss her. It’s been a long year.

“I’m going to qualifying school and then I’m looking forward to many weeks at home with them. I want to spend some more time with them.”