Brit Pack save best for last

Behind the headlines at the Andalucia Masters on Sunday, some gutsy cameos were played out as a trio of Brits saved their best until the last full-field event to secure their playing privileges for next season.

Three years to the month since he clinched the winning point for europe at the Ryder Cup, Jamie donaldson held his nerve once more with a fourth-placed finish.

‘There were some good up and downs coming down the stretch, and some good putts holed,’ said the extrovert Welshman, who celebrated by diving fully clothed into a nearby swimming pool.

‘You know you’ve got to finish in a certain position and that’s in the back your mind, and i’m just pleased i’ve come through.’

Rookie Ashley Chesters was another relieved soul after finishing tied 12th to clamber over the finish line. The glamour days the 28-yearold once enjoyed at the top of the amateur game must have seemed a world away but he showed his inner resolve with rounds of 69-68 over the weekend.

‘i’m just glad it’s over with two good scores,’ said the qualifying school graduate. ‘i couldn’t ask for more from the year, really.’

Then there was fellow englishman daniel Brooks, who needed to finish eighth or better at Valderrama, and did considerably better than that despite the added pressure of playing in the final group. ‘Playing with Sergio Garcia in his home event and finishing third to keep my card adds up to a pretty good day,’ said the Londoner, after his first top 10 since April.

it was certainly that and more, for all three.