France’s Victor Dubuisson overcame some of the biggest names in world golf and a Jamie Donaldson hole in one to claim his maiden professional victory in the Turkish Airlines Open yesterday.
The 23-year-old began the final round with a five-shot lead in Antalya but failed to make a birdie on the front nine and came under threat from world number one Tiger Woods, US Open champion Justin Rose, Ryder Cup player Ian Poulter and Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson.
Dubuisson finally picked up his first shot of the day at the 10th after almost driving the green at the par-4. He recorded his first bogey for 33 holes at the 14th but he was caught when Welshman Donaldson aced the 180yd 16th with a seven iron.
Rose then birdied the 16th to make it a three-way tie at the top but Dubuisson held his nerve to pick up a shot at the 15th and finished in style with a 35ft birdie putt at the 17th and pitch to 6ft at the last for a three-under-par 69 final round and 24-under total.
That was two better than Donaldson, who missed a 6ft eagle putt at the last, and four clear of Rose and Woods – the latter’s strong finish ultimately little more than a consolation after some indifferent play around the turn.
“It’s so great,” said Dubuisson, “I don’t realise that I just won such a big tournament – Tiger, Stenson, Justin Rose, they were all in contention with me.
“It’s a really great feeling and I’m really proud of what I did because it was the toughest golf day of my life.”
Dubuisson’s victory earned him more than £700,000, while he will also move into the top 40 of the world rankings – almost certainly enough to earn him an invite to Augusta National for next year’s US Masters.
Donaldson won a million air miles for his efforts on the 16th, the fifth ace of his career.
“It’s mad when it goes in,” he said after a round of 63. “I hit it right down the flag and was hoping in the air it’s going to be close, then it landed and it vanished.”
Stenson remains ahead of Rose and Poulter in the Race to Dubai despite finishing behind both in a tie for seventh, although his lead has been trimmed to less than £180,000 by Rose.
Former world number one Luke Donald scraped into next week’s season-ending DP World Tour championship in 59th position – despite deciding not to play this week.
Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay finished in share of 18th place on 14 under, one stroke ahead of Stephen Gallacher in a share of 18th place.