Fifth-place finish helps Doak keep his European card
GLASGOW golfer Chris Doak was today setting his sights on an end-ofseason flourish after safeguarding his European Tour card in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.
The 36-year-old blasted a closing six-under 66 over the Old Course for a 15-under 273 and finished in fifth place, two shots behind English winner Oliver Wilson.
Doak was sitting at 115th on the tour’s money list heading into the week and in danger of losing his place at the top table.
But a career-best cheque for £124,500 has propelled him into the safety zone and at 71st on the Race to Dubai, Doak is now aiming to gatecrash the top 60 and earn a spot in the lucrative Final Series.
With a new coach in Paul Arthur and Majorwinning caddie Dave Renwick on his bag, Doak, who became a father two weeks ago, believes he is heading in the right direction again.
The former Tartan Tour No.1 said: “The main goal coming up here was a top 15 or a top 10 so this is fantastic. I needed a great week this week for future golf.
“The Race to Dubai is still a target though, espe- cially if my caddie keeps doing his stuff. Dave has been on the bag for the last five weeks and the experience he has is the reason why I gave him the call.”
Wilson, the former Ryder Cup player who had nine runners-up finishes during a successful spell before enduring a major slump that saw him slip off the tour and down to 792nd i n the world, earned his maiden win with a 70 for a 271.
Wilson pipped Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Richie Ramsay to the £490,000 top prize.
He said: “This is a dream come true. Three, four weeks ago, it was looking pretty grim for my career. But it’s just amazing what is possible playing professional golf. It means the world.”
Ramsay, who three-putted the 17th from just short of the green, added: “I played 17 really well. I hit a great putt and it just horseshoed out on the left and that’s the difference between winning and coming second sometimes.
“It’s a matter of inches and it was an inch too far left.
“I said to one of the guys, if you’re going to lose to someone, you’d like to lose to Ollie.
“I just hope one day it will be me in that position.”