Dave Coupland books place on the European Tour... with a little help from dad and Mauricio Pochettino

The Boston golfer, who is attached to Woodhall Spa GC, fulfilled a lifelong ambition to compete at the sport’s top tier following success at Q School last Wednesday.

With his dad Paul on bag duties, the two Spurs fans discussed possible replacements for axed manager Mauricio Pochettino in between shots at Spain’s Lumine Golf Club.

“We’re both Spurs fans and it was the morning after the manager had been sacked, so we were talking about that a lot on the course,” the 33-year-old said.

“My dad’s caddied for me lots of times in the past and it was great to have him there with me.

“He talks me through things, helps me out and keep me calm at times.”

Coupland will make his European Tour debut at the Australian PGA Championships, beginning on December 19 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Queensland.

But right now he is just enjoying the moment.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he added.

“It’s what I’ve always worked for. The older you get, you start to ask yourself whether it will happen.

“But I’m really happy we’ve kept working hard and got there.”

It has been a fantastic two years for Coupland, winning the Euro Pro Tour’s Order of merit before spending this year on the Challenge Tour, honing his skills with one eye on peaking for Q School.

With the top 25 and ties earning their tour cards, Coupland ended the six-day competition 21st on the leaderboard, 13 under par following rounds of 69, 71, 71, 67, 69, 68.

The category 17 card will see Coupland start in a minimum of 20 European Tour events, with the opportunity to qualify for more.