TIM Rastall expected to start his winter job this week delivering parcels for a Macclesfield courier.

Instead, he's relaxing at home contemplating the prospect of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sam Torrance and Nick Faldo on the PGA European Seniors' after winning a place on the lucrative circuit at his first attempt.

"It's still hasn't sunk in," said the 49-year-old professional, who finished ninth and top Englishman at the final qualifying school in Portugal.

"I'd been planning to go for my card for several years but when I lost my job as head pro at Mottram during management restructuring in 2004 my career went into decline.

"I've had a tough time - I even produced a video of my highs and lows - and but for a few friends helping me out things would have been much worse."

Rastall, who competed on the main tour for four years from 1979 and still has a playing attachment at Mottram, is hoping to attract a sponsor.

Recovery

It's all a far cry from last winter when he could not eke out a living playing regional events and took a driving job.

"Everything came right for me in Portugal and if I'd putted better I could have won," revealed Rastall, who was two-under-par for four rounds and seven shots off the pace.

He received a couple of lessons from Heswall professional Alan Thompson on the eve of the tournament and is planning to consult him again.

Rastall reaches the tour qualifying age of 50 in February.

"Faldo also hits that mark in July but he will probably pick and choose his events although I'm hoping he'll be at the Senior British Open at Muirfield," he added.

Bolton-born Donald Stirling, who coaches in Austria, also held on to the card he won last year.