18 Nov 2019 | Professional golf |
Scrivener leaps into Dubai field
by Martin Blake
Western Australian Jason Scrivener matched the best result of his European Tour career and played himself into the tour championship at the $US 7 million Nedbank Challenge in South Africa over the weekend.
Scrivener, 30, finished tied-third in the $US 7 million event after a closing 70 including three birdies. His prize was 343,000 Euros but there was a bonus, in the form of a start in Dubai this week.
Scivener jumped 24 places in the Race to Dubai rankings and at 35th, will now have a start in the $US 8 million finale to the European Tour season. He has had the best of his five seasons in Europe, earning more than 900,000 Euros.
Queenslander Scott Hend is the only other Australian in that field, which consists of the top 51 players.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood reeled in the field with a closing 65 and beat Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult in a playoff to win in South Africa.
Scrivener described the week as "massive", adding that his first start in a tour championship in Europe had been a goal. “To be honest I haven't had any time to really think about it,” he said. “I haven't even got the flights booked. Yes, just going to take it as it comes. Feel like I'm playing well enough to contend and yes, just looking forward to it.’’
Meanwhile at the European Tour school in Spain, Queenslander Jake McLeod has put himself in the slot with a third-round 68 to leap into the top five. At one point, McLeod held the lead in the six-round marathon but a double bogey at his last hole sent him tumbling back into the pack.
The top 25 and ties at the end of the six rounds receive playing cards for 2020. McLeod played decently on the European Tour this year but lost his full playing rights.
New South Welshman Dimi Papadatos (26th) is the other Australian in strong contention for a card, although Deyen Lawson and Jordan Zunic (tied-46th) are thereabouts.
In Asia, veteran Terry Pilkidaris finished fourth in the Indian Open over the weekend.
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