Scotland’s Chris Doak will still travel to Australia today despite yesterday securing his best finish all season in the Portugal Masters to move inside the European Tour cut-off mark for automatic 2014 exemption.
The Glaswegian jumped seven places to 105th on the money list after his final round 70 for a 14-under-par 270 tally.
England’s David Lynn ended a nine-year winless drought producing a blistering final-day 63 to win by a shot on 18-under-par 266. Lynn went out nine groups ahead of the last pairing and ended his round nearly 90 minutes before confirmation of his success.
Doak’s effort is his first top-10 of the year earning the Glaswegian £34,462. But he thought he would have won more.
If fact, while he is inside the top-110 who retain automatic tour membership for 2014 it is just by £19,928. That’s why Doak will now head to Australia for this week’s Perth contest and the final regular tour event this season.
“Looking at the money list I thought I would have risen higher than I have,” said Doak.
“It’s great to be now inside the top-110 but with just some £20,000 between me and 110th on the money list I would seriously regret it if I didn’t go to Australia and then found myself bumped outside the top 110.
“So I’m going to travel to Perth. I have not been to Australia before and besides I will feel a lot more comfortable knowing that I will be in Australia and being able to improve my standing rather than be at home worrying about people passing me.”
Lynn said: “I turn 40 next Sunday so I’ve just managed to sneak one in but then I hope I don’t have to wait another nine years before my next victory.
The win earned Lynn a £278,822 first prize and assured he will now contest the end-of-season final series in Shanghai.
Press and Journal columnist Stephen Gallacher will be at Mar Hall today for the Scotland football squad’s training camp before five tournaments in succession to end his 15th full season on tour.
Gallacher burst from a third-round share of 11th place with a sizzling last-day 66 to grab a tie for third.
It is the Bathgate golfer’s best finish since he lost a play-off for the Johnnie Walker championship at Gleneagles.
The effort has lifted the reigning Dubai Desert Classic winner five places to 14th on the Race to Dubai money list.
Should he retain a top-15 spot at the end of the year, then it will be guaranteed entry into next year’s US Open and Open championships.
Gallacher said: “Today’s result is a huge lift for me as I wasn’t feeling all that well at the Seve Trophy last week.
“So to come out and play well this week and finish tied third is a great feeling.
“I’ve got this coming week off and then I’m playing five in succession up to and including representing Scotland in the World Cup in Australia. But I’m first going to Shanghai for two events, Turkey and then Dubai.
“After winning in Dubai early in the year I’d love to knock over another one before the year is out.
“Then if I do, I have to be looking seriously at the Ryder Cup. You’ve only got one shot at it and it would be a good time to peak particularly over these next four weeks.
“I’m not really trying to think of that but certainly a lot of big doors could open for me.”
Paul Lawrie shot a final-round 68 to finish on eight-under 276, while fellow Aberdonian Richie Ramsay had a 72 for 282.