In a bitter sweet situation for Australian Masters Champion
Nick Cullen, he has officially withdrawn from his title defence at Huntingdale.

It’s always a tough decision for up and coming players to
choose between defending their titles, especially Major ones on home soil, and
looking to further their careers at international Qualifying Schools.

That was the situation Nick Cullen was faced with this week.
Earning an exemption to final stage European Tour Qualifying School he jetted
to Spain but also entered the UNIQLO Masters, as did Dimitrios Papadatos, David
Bransdon and Nathan Holman.

There was still a small window of opportunity for the
players to make it to Huntingdale if their performances at European Q-School
were not enough to see them make the four round cut.

Fortunately for Cullen, Papadatos and Bransdon after three
rounds they are all in contention to earn one of the 25 cards on offer.

Cullen and Papadatos are 6-under the card and tied 24^th
while Bransdon is 2-under and T54 with two rounds still to play.

The trio’s official withdrawal from the UNIQLO Masters has
provided an opportunity for Zach Murray, Andrew Pitt, and Taylor Cooper to tee
it up in the $750,000 tournament. They were three of the alternates from the
pre-qualifying on Monday and will now replace them in the official tournament draw.

While Cullen, Papadatos and Bransdon won’t be at
Huntingdale, Nathan Holman is on his way to Melbourne after his withdrawal from
European Tour Qualifying School. He will tee off at 12.05 on Thursday playing
alongside in form players Matt Millar and Daniel Fox.