Newly-turned professional Liam O’Neill takes on some of the best up-and-coming golfers in Europe next week, insisting he is not just there to make up the numbers.

The Keighley and Branshaw member tees off in the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain on November 26.

And despite it being the 19-year-old’s first attempt to make it through the notoriously-tough event, he is going there with one aim – to gain his tour spot.

O’Neill has already achieved more than many by making it through the first stage of qualifying at London Golf Club in September, when only around 25 per-cent of the initial 700-strong field progressed.

But he said: “I wouldn’t like to say I’ve achieved anything yet. You go and do what you have to do and I’m aiming to get my tour card, not just say I made it to second-round qualifying.”

The Oakworth teenager will play four rounds at the Hacienda del Alamo course in the south-east Spanish resort of Murcia.

The venue hosts one of four second-round stages, the others being at Elle Valle – also in Murcia – and the Jerez-based Costa Bellena and Arcos Gardens courses.

The field is then whittled down from just over 300 to around 80 for the final qualifying stage – which features a mammoth six rounds at the Catalunya Resort course in Girona from December 4.

The leading 30 players and ties will gain tour cards for the European Tour and line up against the likes of Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell on a regular basis.

The stakes are high but O’Neill has already proved he can perform under pressure by producing a stunning comeback in first-round qualifying.

O’Neill was languishing in 78th place at the halfway mark but bogey-free rounds of 66 – the joint lowest of the third round – and 68 catapulted him up the field to 19th place and booked his place in Spain.

He said: “You’re always a bit nervous in these big events but knowing I shot 36 bogey-free holes in the first stage will help me.”

With the local and national competitive season over, O’Neill has been keeping his game ticking over with coach Graeme Walker on the range.

“I’ve been working hard to keep my game in shape and just been tidying bits up here and there,” said the former Oakbank pupil, who flies out on Sunday with his caddy Sam Haywood, also a professional golfer, from Sheffield.

O’Neill, who has experience of playing in Spain with former Keighley scratch team-mate Adam Sagar, fulfilled his dream when he turned professional this month.

As an amateur, he made his debut for England A last year, played for Yorkshire and won the Bradford Amateur Strokeplay title as a 16-year-old. He also won county and district junior titles, becoming the first player since 1970 to retain the Bradford individual junior crown.