Miguel Angel Jiménez became the oldest winner in European Tour history

Miguel Angel Jiménez became the oldest winner in European Tour history as the Spaniard produced a masterclass in approach play to capture the UBS Hong Kong Open for the third time.

A five under par round of 65, which might have been even lower had his putter got going, gave him a 15 under par total at Hong Kong Golf Club and one shot victory over Fredrik Andersson Hed.

Six months older than Des Smyth was when he won the 2001 Madeira Islands Open, the victory was Jiménez’ 19th on The European Tour and 12th since turning 40 – two of which also came in Fanling in 2005 and 2008.

“It’s very nice - I hope it’s not the last one,” joked the Spaniard, who was an assistant Captain at The Ryder Cup in Medinah.

“I really love this place. I love the golf course – it’s a great golf course where you have to control the ball very well, it’s not a matter of distance.”

Jiménez went to the turn in a brilliant four under par 30 despite not holing a putt longer than eight feet – the highlight a brilliant five wood approach to two feet at the ninth.

He then sunk a 12 footer at the tenth, and parred his way in for victory having not carded a single bogey over the last three rounds.

Asked about the secret of his longevity Jiménez, responded: “This is maybe the olive oil in my joints, and the nice Rioja wine and those things keep you fit and flexible.

“The most important thing, I do what I like to do in my life, and golf has given me all of this pleasure. Winning now, at 48, my goodness - 24 years I've been on the Tour.

“I still love it and I think that is fantastic, to love what you're doing, and enjoy yourself, keep fit, keep working myself a little bit and stretching a lot, and that's the main thing to do to compete with the new guns."

The 40 year old Andersson Hed, who made 14 trips to Qualifying School before winning his first European Tour title in Italy two years ago, birdied the second, two-putted the long third, then hit a fine approach to three feet at the next in an early charge.

He then had a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th and 12th, but a 12 foot birdie putt at the last lipped out in what proved to be a decisive moment.

“I don't think I've ever played better than I did today under pressure,” he said. “There were a couple of loose shots on 15 and 16 that I got away with and made pars and then unfortunately couldn't get the birdies in on 17 and 18. It always feels good to finish second in a golf tournament; you know you've done something good.

“It's a pity I couldn't get one of the putts on the last two holes to put a little bit more pressure on him on the last hole. He did fantastic, though, with a perfect tee shot, the perfect second shot and easy two-putt, so all credit to Miguel.”

Australian Marcus Fraser came third and joint fourth were Ireland's Peter Lawrie – sealing his place at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in the process – Scot Stephen Gallacher and 19 year old Italian Matteo Manassero, last week's Barclays Singapore Open champion.

New Zealander Michael Campbell, joint overnight leader with Jiménez, fell away to joint eighth.

In the race for places on The 2013 European Tour International Schedule, Australian Andrew Dodt produced a remarkable comeback to keep his hopes alive.

Five over par at the turn, the former Avantha Masters winner looked unlikely to climb from 122nd in The Race to Dubai into the all-important top 119.

He came home in a three under 33, however, and a tie for 37th saw him edge ahead of Richard Bland, Tjaart Van Der Weld, Rhys Davies and Gary Boyd to 117th.

While Dodt looks safe, Bland and Van Der Weld face a nervous afternoon to see if Tommy Fleetwood and Tano Goya can earn enough at the SA Open Championship to edge them out.

And former winner Davies and England’s Boyd now join the likes of Bradley Dredge, Shiv Kapur, Oliver Wilson and Christian Nilsson in returning to Qualifying School next week.

Michael Campbell bravely holed a ten foot clutch putt

Michael Campbell bravely holed a ten foot clutch putt for par at the last to retain a share of the lead alongside Miguel Angel Jiménez after three rounds of the UBS Hong Kong Open in Fanling.

While Spaniard Jiménez, at 48 looking to become the oldest winner in European Tour history, ground out a bogey-free two under par 68, New Zealand’s Campbell mixed three birdies with two bogeys around Hong Kong Golf Club for a 69 as the pair tied on ten under par.

One clear overnight, former US Open Champion Campbell – returning to form after sliding out of the game’s top 1,000 - was initially caught by playing partner Zhang Lian-wei at the top of the leaderboard.

Having made a perfect start with a 15 foot birdie putt at the first, the 43 year old did well to rescue par from ten feet at the third after his drive bounced off a cart path into a stream; however Zhang followed a birdie two at the second with one from 12 feet there to join him in top spot.

A superb approach to the fourth brought Zhang another birdie and the outright lead, and when he got up and down from a greenside bunker at the fifth the 47 year old had needed just five putts in his opening five holes.

He needed three at the next, although so did Campbell, but Zhang bogeyed the next two as well as his playing partner birdied the seventh after a fine approach to eight feet.

Jiménez, seeking a hattrick of titles in this event after winning the 2005 and 2008 stagings, started with nine consecutive pars before a gain at the tenth.

He picked up another shot at the par five 13th, and that looked like it might give him the outright lead overnight as Campbell found a greenside bunker at the last and left his chip out well short of the hole.

But Campbell showed how far his confidence has come, holing the putt with aplomb as he seeks a first win for seven years.

“Today was sort of scrappy; apart from a couple of drives, it was pretty average really,” said Campbell. 

“But once again, I just managed to grind out a score, which is very important with me not playing so well. I turned a 73 into a 69, which is always nice. 

“I've still got a chance to win tomorrow, and that's what I wanted to do after three rounds - give myself an opportunity to go out there and hopefully lift the UBS Hong Kong Open trophy. 

“Once again Miguel is playing great golf, and he's won this twice before and he's the man to beat.

“It's going to be a very interesting day tomorrow and it's going to be I think a lot of fun; it will be nice to be a part of it.” 

Jiménez has won 11 of his 18 European Tour titles since turning 40, but the last of those was two years ago in Switzerland.

“I love to be in contention,” said The Ryder Cup Vice Captain. “It's been a long time since I've been there and I'm happy and I like this golf course.

“I like to be in contention on this golf course and you have to have patience and let everything happen. That's what's going to happen tomorrow, stay patient because anyone can win.”

Zhang came home in a one under 34 for a share of third nine under, while 19 year old Matteo Manassero burst onto a leaderboard dominated by veterans all week with a brilliant inward 30.

The Italian, whose victory at last week’s Barclays Singapore Open made him the first teenager to win three European Tour titles, wasted little time searching for a fourth as he followed a 15 foot eagle at the 13th with a hattrick of birdies; the resulting 64 taking him to nine under for the week.

“I played well throughout the whole round,” said The European Tour’s youngest winner.

“I had a really good practise yesterday and today I have to say, I struck the ball really well. I had plenty of chances, and on the back nine I really had some short putts for birdie and I made a few good ones. 

“Last week really made me relax a lot on the golf course, and these three rounds and my position coming into this Sunday is certainly due to and what happened last week - I've got more freedom.” 

Sweden’s Fredrik Andersson Hed holds sole possession of fifth on eight under after signing for a level par 70, while Anders Hansen and Peter Lawrie – the latter all-but certain of a DP World Tour Championship place after starting the week in the 60th and final qualifying spot – will still harbour title aspirations from three shots behind.

Andrew Dodt’s 68 did the Australian the world of good as he looks to climb the three places required on The Race to Dubai to retain his card.

Rhys Davies, currently holding the 119th and last card, followed his spectacular par save at the last yesterday – he had to chip out from behind a tree and get up and down from the fairway to make the cut – with a 69 that moved him up to 53rd.

Matteo Manassero finished a marathon final day in style

Matteo Manassero finished a marathon final day in style to win the Barclays Singapore Open after a play-off with Louis Oosthuizen at Sentosa GC.

The 19 year old eagled the third play-off hole from 15 feet to deny Oosthuizen a third win of the season, and hand The Race to Dubai title to Rory McIlroy after the World Number One finished third.

With much of the third round incomplete at the start of the day after lengthy storm delays on Thursday and Friday, Manassero set about completing a seven under par 64 to lead by two going into the final round.

The Italian, who became The European Tour’s youngest winner two years ago and added a second title in neighbouring Malaysia last season, then birdied the par five 18th for a final round 69 to tie with Oosthuizen on 13 under after the former Open Champion had followed a 65 with a closing 67.

Two trips back down the 18th failed to split the pair – Oosthuizen bravely holing a seven foot birdie putt after Manassero chipped to two feet first time around, before the 30 year old missed from five feet after his opponent failed to get up-and-down from the edge of the green.

Both were on the putting surface in two at the third time of asking, but when Oosthuizen missed from 30 feet Manassero showed nerves of steel to become the first teenager to win three European Tour titles.

“It’s been an extremely long day,” said Manassero. “The adrenaline kept me going and the key was starting really well this morning. Starting with some birdies gave me a lot of adrenaline to go forward. 

“The play-off was just a great honour to play with Louis - it’s been amazing really. This year has been a tough year for me going through a few swing changes, but it has been amazing this week. I’m glad this came in such a great tournament.” 

Manassero had four birdies in a row from the fourth in his third round to hit the front early this morning, and when overnight leader Thomas Björn faded on the back nine Oosthuizen emerged as his nearest challenger.

The Masters Tournament runner-up was two behind with a round to play before birdieing the first to get within one.

He found trouble off the tee at fifth, however, and missed his par putt from 18 feet.

Manassero birdied the second before chipping from sand to within two feet at fourth for an obligatory gain, as Oosthuizen found water at the seventh only to almost hole his fourth from the fairway and save par.

Oosthuizen caught Manassero with a hattrick of birdies from the ninth, but looked to have thrown away his chances of winning with back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th.

He chipped in at the 14th, though, and a brilliant pitch to within two feet at the par five 18th saw him set the target at 13 under.

After bogeying the 15th Manassero needed a birdie, and although The European Tour’s youngest winner saw his putt slide by on the 17th, he made no mistake at the last after reaching the green in two.

McIlroy shot 69-65 on the final day, an eagle at the last confirming his status as European Number One and allowing the Northern Irishman to match Ryder Cup teammate Luke Donald’s 2011 achievement of topping the money list on both sides of the Atlantic.

Björn recovered from his third round 74 with a 68 to take fourth on nine under, with Italy’s Francesco Molinari and three-time winner of the event Adam Scott tied for fifth.

Denmark’s Thomas Björn picked up where he left off

Denmark’s Thomas Björn picked up where he left off on Thursday when the second round of the Barclays Singapore Open was completed at Sentosa GC to regain the outright lead.

The leader after the opening day having shot 66, Björn did not hit a shot all day on Friday due to weather delays, and as he finally took to the course this morning he had been usurped at the top by South African George Coetzee and England’s Chris Wood.

A birdie at the second brought the 41 year old within one of the lead, and he did well to save par two holes later after driving into water.

Björn caught Coetzee and Wood with a six footer at the 11th, sent a brilliant iron approach to five feet at the 12th and converted for the outright lead, then doubled his advantage two holes later from 20 feet.

Four straight pars to finish gave the 13-time European Tour winner – who had three victories last season but is yet to register this term – a four under par 67 and nine under total.

“This course can very quickly bite you, especially if you don’t drive the ball well,” said Björn. “The numbers can run up on this golf course, so you’ve got to stay with what you’re doing. 

“I’ve enjoyed these two days, and it’s nice to play some good stuff but there’s still a long way to go in this golf tournament.

“I’ve got two good rounds in the bank but there’s a way to go.”

Earlier perennial bridesmaids Coetzee and Wood had both improved their chances of a maiden victory on The European Tour.

Both players have had 17 top ten finishes without entering the winner’s circle, but Coetzee had a run of five straight birdies from the 18th, his ninth, en route to a best-of-the week 63.

Wood had his maiden professional victory in Thailand in August and the 24 year old birdied four of his last five holes for a second round 65.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari birdied the eighth – his 17th – upon the resumption and as a result advanced to six under with a 67, with overnight joint-leader Simon Dyson dropping back to five under, alongside Australian Adam Scott.

The other overnight leader, Thai Chapchai Nirat, started the day with a birdie but bogeyed the sixth and double bogeyed the seventh to slip back into a large group on four under.

World Number One and Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy reached the halfway stage two under par after a second consecutive 70, while American four-time Major Champion Phil Mickelson made the cut on the mark at one over.

The European Tour stays in China this week

The European Tour stays in China this week as one of the biggest titles in world golf, the US$7 million WGC – HSBC Champions, is contested over the Olazábal Course at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzen. With 13 of the world’s top 20 players in action and 16 men from that unforgettable Ryder Cup (ten of whom were part of the winning team!) there are sure to be fireworks aplenty at the venue that so successfully staged three World Cups between 2007-2009


Points so far

RACE TO DUBAI
Player Name Prize Money 1 Rory MCILROY €3,407,300 2 Peter HANSON €2,594,728 3 Justin ROSE €2,518,527 4 Branden GRACE €2,057,007 5 Louis OOSTHUIZEN €1,887,506 6 Francesco MOLINARI €1,816,113 7 Graeme MCDOWELL €1,789,025 8 Luke DONALD €1,780,906 9 Ernie ELS €1,756,971 10 Paul LAWRIE €1,737,301

Poulter and Rose seeking solo success at Mission Hills

Ian Poulter and Justin Rose hope to turn their impressive team record at Mission Hills into individual success at this week’s WGC – HSBC Champions. 

The Ryder Cup teammates have twice represented England together in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup, finishing fourth in 2007 and second in 2011.
 
However, both will be competing for a second World Golf Championship title this week and Poulter’s pre-tournament press conference had an unusual first question from his compatriot who was on his way out of the interview room as Poulter’s press conference began.
 
Rose asked: “How can I beat you this week? Because you're looking like you're buoyant at the moment.”
 
Poulter responded: “Well, you hit it past me. You've got me covered off the tee. You've nearly got me covered in greens in regulation, because you're like 99.9998 per cent greens in regulation. So just warm the blade up, buddy.”
 
Once that friendly exchange was out the way, Poulter admitted his experience of the venue – he has also partnered Ross Fisher here twice – could be a significant advantage. 
 
“I’ve played here a number of times in World Cup format,” he said. “I think the course is one which opens itself up to quite a few birdies, five par fives, it's going to be an exciting week to play in a stroke-play event as opposed to knowing the course as a foursomes and a fourball course. 
 
“I think the scores are going to be pretty low and you're going to have to play well. It's a strong field, a lot of guys in decent form, so expecting to score low.”
 
And while Poulter has received plenty of adulation for his Ryder Cup heroics, the former WGC-Accenture Match Play Champion is keen to win an individual title before the end of 2012. 
 
“I'm fairly motivated to put a ‘W’ on the board before the end of the year,” he added. “I felt last week I was really frustrated after three days. Felt that my ball-striking was as good as it's been all year. I put myself in a lot of positions where I felt I should have converted to make birdie. 
 
“I had in two consecutive days, probably 12 putts each day under 15 feet for birdie and barely converted them. As hot as my putter was last time out, it went cold for a few days early in the week. I was getting frustrated but I knew if I could hole a few I could get a result. The result was there on Sunday: seven birdies, no mistakes. 
 
“Fourth position was acceptable; I wouldn't say it was a great week but I would have said it was acceptable for how I played, and if I do the same this week and putt well, then I'm definitely going to be there again. I would like to add a win to the resumé this year and sign off in a good way.”
 
Rose’s sixth place finish in Shanghai last week represented an incredible eighth top-ten finish in 11 European Tour starts this year; but with Peter Hanson winning and Rory McIlroy second he lost ground in The Race to Dubai.
 
“This is a big week to be honest with you,” said the 32 year old. “It's my last event going into Dubai. 
 
“I lost a little bit of ground on the guys last week. Peter Hanson obviously got ahead of me, too, in terms of The Race to Dubai. 
 
“To give myself a chance - that's the goal this week really is to give myself a chance going into Dubai - and I guess that would mean putting myself within the difference between first and second; knowing that if I win, and Rory finishes second at the Tour Championship, I can still win The Race to Dubai. But also I'm in Rory's hands to a certain extent and I have to win this week to give myself that chance.
 
“From The Race to Dubai perspective, to keep that interesting, it's a very important week this week.”

Shane Lowry’s victory at last week’s Portugal Masters

Shane Lowry’s victory at last week’s Portugal Masters capped a glorious summer of golf on European shores, and as the 144-man field prepare to tee it up down under this week at the ISPS HANDA Perth International, it marks the start of a six week global countdown to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. In this time The European Tour will visit Australia, China, Singapore and Hong Kong, before the top 60 on The Race to Dubai is finalised, and they all head to the Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course for the dramatic season finale. This week in Perth therefore marks a very important time on the calendar, and as such, there is plenty of top talent on show and ready to fight for the title on Australia’s west coast. Follow all the action on europeantour.com where you will also find all the latest from the Challenge Tour’s penultimate event, the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Challenge hosted by Royal Golf Club, with just two events left to climb into the Rankings top 20 and ensure a place on The European Tour next season. 

RACE TO DUBAI Player Name Prize Money 1 Rory MCILROY €2,813,962 2 Justin ROSE €2,376,628 3 Branden GRACE €2,028,216 4 Francesco MOLINARI €1,778,944 5 Ernie ELS €1,756,971 6 Louis OOSTHUIZEN €1,745,608 7 Peter HANSON €1,706,167 8 Paul LAWRIE €1,700,132 9 Graeme MCDOWELL €1,696,610 10 Nicolas COLSAERTS €1,591,204 View Full Race to Dubai Rankings

The old adage says ‘when one door closes, another one opens’

The old adage says ‘when one door closes, another one opens’, and nothing could be truer for the Challenge Tour this week, which visits Royal Golf Club for the inaugural Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Challenge.

When it became clear that Poggio dei Medici Golf Club would be unable to host the Mugello Tuscany Open – scheduled for this week – because of the severe drought that has ravaged Italy this summer, it looked as though the penultimate event on the Challenge Tour schedule would have to be cancelled.

However, in stepped Royal Golf Club in the nick of time, not only ensuring there would still be a tournament, but revealing itself to be a gem of a venue. Despite having less than three weeks to prepare, it promises to be one of the most well-organised tournaments and enjoyable destinations of the season.

Morten Sundberg, CEO of Royal Golf Club, said: “We saw an opportunity to help the Challenge Tour, and it would have been such a shame if the second-last tournament of the year had to be cancelled.

“There are a few Danish players doing very well this season, and we thought it was important that there was a tournament this week for sporting reasons and to make it fair to those trying to make the top 20 or top 45 in the Rankings.

“Soren Juul is our Sales Manager here at Royal Golf Club and he used to play on the Challenge Tour and knows Alain de Soultrait, the Challenge Tour Director, so he got in touch. I also do business with a guy who works for Crowne Plaza, so we were able to get them on board as title sponsors and as the official hotel for staff and players.

“The course here is made for big tournaments so it’s very exciting, and we hope this is only the start.”

Three weeks might seem a very short time to plan and organise a tournament of this level, but Sundberg explained that many aspects simply fell into place.

“We instructed our head greenkeeper to start work on the course immediately, but it was already in very good condition and didn’t need a huge amount of work,” he said.

“Last year we held a big tournament with lots of famous people, so we got in touch with all the volunteers who had helped at that, and most of them were keen to do this one as well. So it was a tried and tested system.

“The infrastructure is all in place. We have another course also very close to the city centre so we were able to move all our bookings there for this week. Everyone is just very happy and excited to have this tournament here and I think we will have quite a few people watching on Sunday, especially as we are offering free entry to the public.”

Royal Golf Club fully opened last year, having been in the pipeline for more than a decade. The state-of-the-art clubhouse has been designed as ‘a little house on the hill’ in keeping with its surroundings, which is a protected area, and it boasts a huge fitness centre and restaurant in addition to top class facilities.

“The idea to have a golf course here came about in 1999 but it took five and a half years to get the planning permission,” said Sundberg. “The driving range opened in 2006, nine holes in 2008, 18 holes in 2010 and the clubhouse last year.

“It is a typical Danish design, very stylish and minimalistic. We like to think we have the best location for a golf club in the world. We say we are a nine iron away from the airport and a nine iron to the Metro, which gets you to the centre of Copenhagen in seven minutes.

“It’s a fantastic location and the area is very up-and-coming. Many multi-national companies are basing their Scandinavian headquarters here and when it is all completed there will be 80,000 people working here and 25,000 people living here.

“And, most important, the golf course is superb. We are sure it will be an excellent week.”

Shane Lowry edges out Ross Fisher to win Portugal Masters

Shane Lowry beat Ross Fisher by one stroke to win the Portugal Masters - his second European Tour title and his first as a professional.

Ireland's Lowry, who won the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009, carded a final-round 66 to edge out England's Fisher, who bogeyed 16 and 18 for a 70.
Fisher, hunting his first win since 2010, had a five-foot putt at the last for a play-off but his ball lipped out.

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell finished third.
"I can't explain how I feel now to be honest. It's a dream," said Lowry, 25, who is only the second player to win on the European Tour as an amateur and a professional after Spain's Pablo Martin.

"I've won such a big tournament, such a prestigious event. I'm over the moon. It was like playing in Ireland [given the fans' support], it was great."
Lowry, a stable-mate of world number one Rory McIlroy, holed a seven-iron for an eagle two at the 11th and was one ahead after adding birdies at the 15th and 17th.

But he drove into sand at the last before making bogey for a 14-under-par total.
Former Ryder Cup star Fisher, who was in the final group, left his long birdie attempt at 18 five feet short and was unable to make the follow-up.

New Zealand's Campbell finished on 12 under, his best finish for four years and a welcome result after years of struggle since winning his only major in 2005.
Overnight leader Bernd Wiesberger of Austria had to settle for fourth after a 73 left him on 11 under.

England's Ross Fisher overcame an injury

England's Ross Fisher overcame an injury scare to move a step closer to his fifth European Tour title.

The 31 year old slipped walking off the first tee when he resumed the Portugal Masters and feared for a while he might have to withdraw.

But after a physio was called for and strapping applied to his left foot, Fisher battled on and thanks in large part to a 22 foot eagle putt on the long 17th added a 67 to his opening 65.

"I didn't think anything of it at first and for two or three holes it was okay, but then it started to get really sore," he said.

"The physio told me I was not doing any damage by playing on. It was uncomfortable for a while, I was feeling it again at the end and I'm just very relieved to get through.

"To be leading is very, very pleasing. It was really difficult to get through the ball and it made it quite challenging to pick the right club.

"My balance was not very good, but I tried to grind it out and fortunately I came through with a decent score."

On ten under par at halfway Fisher leads by three from Scot Stephen Gallacher and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger.

Gallacher, yet to have a bogey, is seeking only his second victory in nearly 400 European Tour events, but Wiesberger has already had two this season.

Fisher last tasted success at the Irish Open two years ago, a victory which helped to secure him a Ryder Cup debut at The Celtic Manor Resort.

Since partnering Padraig Harrington to two wins against the Americans, however, he has managed only one top five finish and finds himself down at 140th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Earlier it had looked like being Padraig Harrington's morning at Oceânico Victoria when he went two clear with six birdies in his first 11 holes.

But in a real mixed bag of a finish the 41 year old Irish star, without a European Tour victory for over four years, had a double bogey, two more birdies and two bogeys, both of those coming when he three-putted.

“I didn't really push on,” admitted the three-time Major Champion. “I made a few mistakes.

“It was all going very nicely and I made a couple more birdies after the double bogey, but I’m a bit upset about the two three-putts at the end.

“That was a pity because eight under would have been a nice return, six under for the round, eight under for the tournament, and I can forget about the double bogey. But as I say the two 3 putts are the ones that hurt a lot more.”

Wiesberger had five birdies and an eagle two at the 315 yard 15th, his sixth.

The Vienna golfer's lone dropped shot came at the difficult seventh, where his drive picked up mud and his approach finished in the greenside bunker.

“I'm feeling good,” said Wiesberger. “I didn't hit as many fairways as I would have liked to, but the rough is not up much, so the closer you get to the green, the more shorter clubs you can hit.

“It's not playing particularly long today, so a lot of wedges in and more chances to make more birdies.”

Gallacher has gone two days without a bogey as he seeks only his second title in almost 400 European Tour events - but there was only one birdie in his second round 70.

“I hit greens in regulation, so I had pretty much 35 putts,” said the 37 year old. “Some were close, some were good two putts from distance; so it was about even really.”

Of Europe’s three Ryder Cup heroes present only Francesco Molinari will be around for the weekend action.

The Italian shot a second straight 71 to make the cut on level par, but Martin Kaymer’s 75 saw him miss out on two over and Captain José María Olazábal shot a 75 for eight over.
 

Tom Lewis will bid to become

Tom Lewis will bid to become the first player to successfully defend the Portugal Masters title this week, when Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal will make his maiden competitive outing since guiding Europe to a famous victory alongside two of his triumphant team members, Martin Kaymer and Francesco Molinari.

Kaymer and Molinari anchored the European Team in the Sunday Singles at Medinah Country Club, and the pair duly repaid the faith Olazábal had placed in them by closing out a memorable victory.    
Molinari, whose halved match against World Number Two Tiger Woods ensured Europe won The Ryder Cup outright, boasts an impressive record at Oceânico Victoria Golf Course, finishing runner-up in 2009 and tied second in 2010.  

Equally Kaymer, the man at the epicentre of the final day drama in Illinois, has finished outside the top ten just once in three appearances at the star-studded €2.25million event, which is now in its sixth season.

Lewis provided one of the most memorable moments in the history of the Portugal Masters last year, winning on only his third appearance as a professional to realise the extraordinary potential he had shown during The 2011 Open Championship, which the then amateur co-led after the first day.

In a display of astonishing maturity on the final day in Vilamoura, the 20 year old closed with a stunning round of 65 to overhaul the overnight leader Rafael Cabrera-Bello and win by two shots from the Spaniard – a performance which helped earn him the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award.

Since securing his debut victory Lewis has found life rather tougher on The European Tour, but a return to the Algarve should serve to inspire the former Walker Cup star. 

He said: “I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun to go back. The weather’s usually great in Portugal, so I always enjoy playing there and the course at Oceânico really suits my game. I struck the ball really well that week, and if I can do the same again this year, hopefully I can put myself in position to successfully defend my title. There will obviously be a bit more focus and attention on me as the defending champion this year, but I’m confident I’ll be able to handle the pressure and hopefully even thrive on it.”

Lewis is one of four former winners in this week’s field, with his fellow Englishman Steve Webster (2007), Spain’s Alvaro Quiros (2008) and Australian Richard Green (2010) also in the line-up.

The home challenge will be headlined by Madeira Islands Open – Portugal winner Ricardo Santos, who knows every inch of the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course having been born and raised in Vilamoura.

Santos said: “It’s my home course, so I know it better than any other player in the field. The course will obviously be set up differently for the tournament to how it normally plays, but I will still have an advantage over most of the guys. My wife, Rita, works at the club and my daughter, Victoria, will be coming along with my parents to watch me play, so it will be a great week for all the family.”          

Other notable names in the field include three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland, who finished third in the Portugal Masters in 2009, and the four Vice Captains who helped inspire Europe to victory two weeks ago: Thomas Björn, Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Paul McGinley.  

Branden Grace fought off a brave challenge

 

Grace fought off a brave challenge from Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen to win his fifth title of the season at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

"It feels awesome," said Grace, who has risen from outside the Official World Golf Ranking's top 300 to inside the top 40 and might even yet deny Number One McIlroy The Race to Dubai next month.

He is up from 12th to third and added: "It's definitely in my sights."

Grace, who began the week with a European Tour record-equalling 60 at Kingsbarns, claimed the €617,283 first prize with a tournament record 22 under par total.

But if starting the final round with a four stroke lead and ending it two ahead of Dane Olesen sounds a comfortable day's work, then think again.

After the Pretoria golfer dropped a shot on the seventh, Olesen birdied the next two and when Grace three-putted the short 11th for another bogey they were level.

It was then, however, that he showed the class that had already brought him the Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions, Volvo China Open and, on the Sunshine Tour last Sunday, the Origins of Golf titles in 2012.

Grace birdied the following three holes from ten, 12 and 14 feet and when Olesen bogeyed the next, the gap was back to four – although even then it was not a cruise to the line.

Olesen birdied the 16th and he bogeyed the Road Hole 17th, but when the Sicilian Open winner came up a fraction short with his eagle attempt through the Valley of Sin on the last, Grace had two putts for victory from four feet - and needed only one of them.

It made him the first wire-to-wire winner of The European Tour season, but was the second time he has won back-to-back.

Like Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, Grace is a product of the Ernie Els Foundation and the current Open Champion has already tipped him to be another Major Champion.

Winning at the Home of Golf, as Oosthuizen did in the 2010 Open, will do for the time being, though.

"I've really dreamt of this moment my whole life," he said. "I had goosebumps thinking this morning about Louis and the possibility of holding a trophy here myself.

"It was a tough day, but the putter started working and that's all I needed to do."

Grace's caddie Zack Rasego was on Oosthuizen's bag two years ago and, after asking him to start reading the lines with him on the back nine, he took control again.

Using a new driver after his usual one cracked last week, Grace shot a closing 70, while Olesen's 68 left him two ahead of Swede Alex Noren.

Scot Stephen Gallacher, whose only European Tour victory in nearly 400 starts came in the event eight years ago, finished in a seven-way tie for fifth after running up a quadruple-bogey eight at the 16th.

The 37 year old, lying fourth on his own at the time, went to what he thought was his drive and hit it, only to discover it was actually the ball of Danny Willett's amateur partner Steve Halsall.

It cost Gallacher a two stroke penalty and his was then found in the left-hand rough.

"It never even crossed my mind because he was looking 50 yards further up,” he said. “Obviously I'm a bit disappointed, but what can you do?"

He also incurred a penalty in Thursday's opening round when, in taking a practice swing, he clipped a divot and it hit his ball.

Dunhill Links: Branden Grace on course for fourth Tour win

The South African, chasing his fourth Tour win of the season, leads from Norway's Thorbjorn Olesen.

Swedish pair Alexander Noren and Fredrik Andersson Hed are a shot further back on 15 under.

Each player has played at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews, the latter the venue for Sunday's final round.

Grace, 24, began the week with a Tour record-equalling 60 at Kingsbarns and then added a 67 at St Andrews.

But it was his round at Carnoustie, the toughest of the three courses, that came with praise from compatriot Ernie Els.

"He's good enough to win an Open - he's that good," said Els, the current holder of the Claret Jug and a four-time major winner.

"His game is so suited for links golf - he hits those low bullet drives and he can really putt.

"He's always been a quality player and he's a world contender now."

Grace's lead could have been slender following a double bogey at the 15th, but he picked up a shot on the last as Olesen double-bogeyed the 17th at Kingsbarns.

"I didn't play particularly well. There were loose shots here and there, but this course mentally does it to you.

"I kept fighting, got it around and finishing with a birdie is a bonus."

Stephen Gallacher is the leading Briton on 14 under after carding a seven-under 65 at Kingsbarns.

The Scot, whose only other Tour victory came in this event eight years ago, holed his approach from 200 yards to eagle the 17th before birdieing the last.

Martin Kaymer and Peter Hanson made the cut on six under and five under respectively, but Paul Lawrie, the third member of Europe's Ryder Cup-winning team to be playing in Scotland, missed out.

Dustin Johnson, who won all three of his matches for the United States in their defeat at Medinah, shot a 67 at St Andrews to earn himself a return on Sunday.

There have been plenty of unique double acts over the years

Morecambe and Wise. Thelma and Louise. Laurel and Hardie. There have been plenty of unique double acts over the years but none perhaps as colourful in golf as Scandinavia’s Batman and Robin, Thorbjørn Olesen and Joel Sjöholm, both of whom fired themselves into contention on day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Sjoholm, the Chilean-born Swede, and Olesen, the Danish 22 year old, are firm friends both on and off the course and share a love of distinctive fashion with the former having a proclivity for plus-fours and the latter a penchant for dazzling colours.

Their fortunes were firmly in sync on Friday, too, as the pair surged into a tie for second in Scotland, five shots behind South African revelation Branden Grace.

The Swedish half of the duo signed for a five under par 67 on the Old Course at St Andrews, while Olesen posted a three under par 69 on the challenging Carnoustie Championship Course.

“It was a pleasure,” said Sjöholm, who carded seven birdies and a double bogey at the Fife links. “This was the first time I have played 18 holes at St Andrews, so it’s been an absolutely fantastic adventure for me.  

“It has been a really good day.  Now I honestly understand why everybody’s talking so much about it, and I don’t know the history, so you cannot quiz me on that, but I guess that on a course like this a lot of things can happen.

“I can see myself that today I’ve been a little bit lucky, I’m hitting drives, they might be in the bunker or all these bushes everywhere and we find them and some guys might just stripe it in the fairway.  This course is absolutely amazing.”

Olesen claimed his first European Tour title earlier this year at the Sicilian Open – a source of some badinage in the two’s friendship – and the Dane put himself in position to mount a weekend charge at Carnoustie despite a more up and down round that featured three bogeys but six birdies. 

“It’s been good the last two days, definitely,” Olesen reflected.  “I hit a lot of solid drives and good irons, too.  I actually thought I left a few out there today – it could have been a few more but three under is still a good score at Carnoustie.”

Having seen his friend’s good score at St Andrews, the Fursø man talked up the inspiration behind his birdie finish.

“I was standing on the last three holes and I thought, ‘I need to make a birdie just to tie him (Sjöholm).’  It was quite funny.

“We have a really good friendship and I think that’s good for our games also.”

The world has a fondness for duos and were either man to overhaul Grace come Sunday evening, a highly popular Dunhill Links Champion would be born.

A sage once said, “A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down,” but in the case of Olesen and Sjöholm, both are inexorably on the way up.

Paul Casey has ball stolen by dog during Dunhill Links Championship

Former Ryder Cup player Paul Casey found himself unable to play on for a while at the Dunhill Links Championship after a dog came onto a green and had some fun with his ball.

The incident came on the 12th hole at Kingsbarns as Casey continued his partnership in the celebrity pro-am with Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps.

_{Casey tries to get the dog to return his ball}

Eventually the dog decided to move on and the former world No 3, on in two at the par five, two-putted for a birdie that lifted him to one under par.

"It's the weirdest thing I've ever had happen on a golf course," said Casey. "I noticed the dog on the 12th tee and he sort of followed us down the fairway before taking a real liking to my golf ball."

_{Casey and playing partner Michael Phelps see the funny side}

Casey was ready to play with another ball but a spectator stopped the pooch near the 13th tee and recovered the original.

A European Tour rules official inspected both and Casey was allowed to play his original ball.