Stirling’s Craig Lee will undertake an 11,000-mile round trip to Hong Kong buoyed by sharing sixth place in the Portugal Masters as he strives to secure full 2016 European Tour membership.
Lee finished the best of the seven Scots posting the second equal lowest final round of a six-under par 65 for a 12-under par on the Oceanico Victoria course.
England’s Andy Sullivan led from start to finish storming his way to a nine shot victory and become the first player this season to win three Race to Dubai titles and put himself in frame to represent Europe in February’s EurAsia Cup in Malaysia.
Sullivan, 27 birdied his closing two holes in a round of 66 for a 23-under par tally and victory that will see the Nuneaton golfer jump some 21 spots to 45th on the World Rankings and the assurance of contesting all four Majors next season.
Lee arrived on the Algarve lying 120th on the Race to Dubai and jumped 16 places to 104th, and seven spots inside next week’s 111th cut off mark.
“I’m as I needed a big week somewhere along the line and this week was probably one of them," said Lee.
“However it definitely does make it a lot easier travelling now to Hong Kong as I won’t be so nervous teeing up on Thursday knowing if I make the cut in Hong Kong I should be fine for 2016.”
Lee got the start he wanted on the second day of a rare ‘shot gun’ start chipping to a foot for the easiest of starting round birdies and then holing a 16-footer at this third hole.
And his demeanour some five hours later in also birding his closing two holes was in stark contrast when he walked off Woburn a week ago bogeying two of his last three.
“You pick up two one week after dropping two the before, so that’s the funny nature of this game," he said.
“But I’m looking forward to the Fanling course as it’s a tight old-fashioned layout and the only downside for me is that it can be very hot so I will need to keep properly hydrated.”
However it’s not an easy path to Hong Kong with Lee spending last night (SUN) at a Gatwick Airport hotel before heading up to Glasgow this morning where he’ll spend a few hours before boarding a lunchtime flight to Hong Kong.
“It’s going to be a good few nights before I get back to my own bed but if means securing my 2016 Tour card it will be all worth it," he said.
Joining Lee in Hong Kong will be David Drysdale and Scott Jamieson but with Chris Doak seemingly resigned to heading to the Tour School shooting a final day 72 for a four under total, and move up only four spots to 156th on the money list.
Jamieson dropped two places to 107th on the Race to Dubai after being seven under through 36-holes but then with weekend scores of 75 and 73 ending at one under par.
“I just have to play this coming week and it’s as simple as that also needing to quickly get my head around the Hong Kong course, as I’ve never played well there," he said.
Borders David Drysdale will join Lee and Jamieson in Hong Kong but looking to qualify for the following week’s Turkish Airlines Open after a final round 69 for a share of 16th place at 10-under par.
Drysdale picked up three places to move to 95th on the Race to Dubai and only eight spots from packing his bags for Belek.
Meanwhile, double BMW PGA winner Anders Hansen of Denmark ended a 20-year Tour career posting a score of 69 for a share of 22nd place at eight under par, with the 45-year old set to begin working in the housing investment business.
“The European Tour and particularly Danish golfer will be the poorer now that Anders has decided to end his professional career,” said fellow Dane Thomas Bjorn.
Scottish scores (last round in brackets):-
272 - Craig Lee (65); 273 - Stephen Gallacher (67); 274 - David Drysdale (69); 280 - Marc Warren (66), Chris Doak (72); 283 - Scott Jamieson (73); 285 - Paul Lawrie (70).
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