Horsey edges closer to DP World Tour Championship spot with Russian Open win
ENGLAND’S David Horsey took a significant step towards a spot in The European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai when he edged out Irishman Damian McGrane at the first hole of a play-off to win the M2M Russian Open.
Joint overnight leader Horsey, without a win on The European Tour since 2011, looked to have missed his chance of victory when he double-bogeyed the 12th and McGrane rattled off three consecutive birdies from the 15th. But the 29-year-old pulled off a piece of magic when he needed it most by chipping in for eagle on the 17th before signing for a level-par 72 to force extra holes, with both players tied on 13-under-par 275. Horsey then sealed the win with a par on the first play-off hole, the 18th, when his opponent bogeyed.
The win earned Horsey €166,660 in prize money, taking his total for the season to €376,278 and moved him from 82nd to 50th on The Race to Dubai meaning a few more good results should be enough to keep him in the top 60 which would secure a place in the DP World Tour Championship, taking place at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday 20th November to Sunday 23rd November.
McGrane, who shot a best-of-the-day six-under-par 66, earned €111,110 for second place and moved from 120th to 77th on The Race to Dubai after taking his prize money total for the season to €243,446.
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson fired a closing 69 and to take third place on 12-under-par 276.
The top 10 European Tour Race to Dubai Rankings as of 28 July:
1. Rory MCILROY €2,634,933
2. Thomas BJORN €1,621,367
3. Sergio GARCIA €1,571,776
4. Martin KAYMER €1,533,128
5. Jamie DONALDSON €1,427,922
6. Stephen GALLACHER €1,241,052
7. Justin ROSE €1,211,553
8. Victor DUBUISSON €1,209,642
9. Henrik STENSON €1,191,167
10. Louis OOSTHUIZEN €1,096,713
