Key questions about what is up for grabs on the Race to Dubai

Image: Oceanico Victoria GC hosts this week's Portugal Masters

Time is running out for those on the European Tour to secure their golfing futures. Here’s what those across the Race to Dubai standings have to play for over the next few weeks.

What is at stake?

This week's Portugal Masters and the following week's Hong Kong Open are the last chance for players to guarantee their playing rights for next season. Only those who are ranked inside the top 110 on the Race to Dubai at the close of play next week will automatically retain their Tour card for 2016, with the rest facing a daunting trip to Qualifying School.

Who's at risk?

India Open runner-up SSP Chawrasia, Johannesburg joint-runner up Kevin Phelan and last year's Italian Open winner Hennie Otto are just three of the European Tour regulars currently lying outside the top 110 heading in to the closing stages of the season.

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2014 Lyoness Open champion Mikael Lundberg and Africa Open runner-up Matt Ford also need a strong showing, while Edoardo Molinari has already confirmed he'll be heading to Q-school to try and hold on to his card.

Prom Meesawat, who finished in a tie for third at the China Open earlier in the season, and former Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts are two of the names only just inside the cut-off mark as things stand.

Also See:

After a good week at the British Masters, Oliver Fisher explains to Tim Barter about the pressure of trying to play well to keep his European Tour card.

Who are The Bubble Boys?

The 10 players either side of the "bubble" in the Race to Dubai rankings are:

105 - Scott Jamieson

106 - Oliver Fisher

107 - Seve Benson

108 - Renato Paratore

109 - Prom Meesawat

110 - Chris Paisley

111 - SSP Chawrasia

112 - Matthew Nixon

113 - Tom Lewis

114 - Mikael Lundberg (Exempt for next season after winning 2014 Lyoness Open)

115 - Matt Ford

What is Q-school?

Qualifying school is a lengthy process where hundreds of players battle it out over several stages to try and secure their European Tour status.

The first qualifying stage has already been completed, with hundreds of prospective professionals featuring at one of eight venues across Europe over four days. Around a quarter of those have qualified for the second qualifying stage, which is held around four courses in Spain next month, before the field is whittled down further for gruelling six-round final stage in Catalunya.

Image: Recent British Masters champion Matt Fitzpatrick was one of 27 players to graduate from Q-school last season

How do players get through Q-school?

Those who finish in the top 25 and ties at the Final Stage of qualifying secure full playing rights on the European Tour, with those who make the cut but finish below that point only earning partial membership. Any player that misses the cut at the PGA Catalunya Resort faces a season of on the Challenge Tour.  

Watch the conclusion to the 2015 European Tour season live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf, or watch without a contract on NOW TV

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