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Chris Doak didn’t want to go to Australia to play in the ISPS Handa Perth International – but it turned out to be worth the trip as the Scot sewed up his European Tour card for next season.
The 35-year-old from Greenock was forced to make the trip ‘Down Under’ to guarantee his playing privileges for next season after he found himself in 105th position in the Race To Dubai – the top 110 retaining their cards.
However, Doak, a two-time former Tartan Tour No.1, made the long journey count, finishing in a tie for 36th and banking €9,867, enough to climb to 100th place on the rankings and safely secure his card for 2014.
Afterwards, an exhausted Chris Doak tweeted (@ChrisDoak1): “Thanks for all your tweets people much appreciated now REST zzzzzzzzz.”
However, the joy for Doak was in stark contrast to the disappointment for his fellow countryman, Scott Henry.
“Thanks for all your tweets people much appreciated now REST zzzzzzzzz.” – Chris Doak
The European Tour rookie came up just short in his bid to retain his card after finishing alongside Chris Doak in a tie for 36th in Australia.
That meant he ended the season ranked 120th on the Race To Dubai and only €30,000 short of keeping his card. The Glasgow man will now go back to Q-School to try to maintain his status on the tour.
There was disappointment for a number of players who narrowly failed to retain their playing rights, amongst them former European Tour winners James Kingston (111th), Oliver Fisher (118th), Fredrik Andersson Hed (123rd), and Richard Finch (125th).
Former Amateur champion Jin Jeong won the tournament to jump into 107th place on the standings with Ireland’s Peter Lawrie making it in 109th place, despite a bogey-bogey finish.
The focus now shifts to the new Final Series, a four-event finale to the Race To Dubai modelled on the FedExCup.
Chris Doak: Season at a glance
A look at how Chris Doak performed on the European Tour this season.
Starts: 27
In money: 17
Top tens: 1
Biggest cheque: €53,784.95 (Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open)
Lowest round: 64 (3rd round, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship)
Total money: €261,507
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