Murdoch earns his place on the tour

THIRTEENTH Beach golfer Jack Murdoch booked his place on the PGA Tour of Australasia for next year on Sunday after finishing 30th in the final stage of the Q-School event at Moonah Links.

Having started the event with a five-over round of 77, Murdoch, pictured, went on to record rounds of 72, 71 and 70 to finish inside the cut-off mark for a spot on the tour.

It means the amateur golfer will have guaranteed starts at some of the country’s biggest events, including the Australian Open, the PGA Championship and the Vic Open — which has recently been announced as a co-sanctioned European Tour tournament — as well as the New Zealand Open.

Geelong pro Jack Wilson also earned his spot on the tour for next year after finishing 23rd, which came a week after he scored a 58 in a pro-am at Healesville.

NSW’s Dylan Perry claimed victory at the QSchool event, finishing with a score of 277 (11-under) and said playing the Moonah course on its merits paid dividends.

Perry plays his golf at Sanctuary Cove in Queensland and now has full status in Australia, to complement his Japan Tour status.

The 23-year-old said he would be aiming to kick off his time on the Australian tour at Thirteenth Beach next year when the Vic Open rolls into town in February.

“Vic Open is the first event we have in Australia and that is a big one, so that will be my first event,” he said.

“All the co-sanctioned stuff in Australia is getting better. It provides more access for us, especially with the European Tour.

“If you finish well in those tournaments it can skyrocket your career pretty quickly so it’s very exciting to now have the opportunity to play those events.” POOM Saksansin closed with a 4-under 68 to win the Indonesia Masters by three shots over Jazz Janewattanond.

Henrik Stenson (71), who started the final round three shots behind Poom, was fourth.

Defending champion Justin Rose was tied for 17th, which saw Brooks Koepka finish the year at No. 1.