×

Top Links:

Get A Golf Handicap

UK Golf Guide

Golfshake Top 100s

Find Golf Travel Deals

Golf Competitions

Search

Community Forum

Course:

Tee Times | Search | Reviews

News:

Gear | Tour | Industry Insider

Tuition:

Video Library | Tuition Sections

Community:

Join | Log In | Help | Useful Links

×

Double Delight for Donaldson Winning D+D REAL Czech Masters

By: Golf Shake | Sun 24 Aug 2014


Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements


JAMIE DONALDSON produced a final round of 68 to win the D+D REAL Czech Masters at the Albatross Golf resort, near Prague, and secure his place in Europe's Ryder Cup team to take on America at Gleneagles next month.

The Welshman was already riding high on the world points list, but this victory means that nobody can overtake him in the European points list, so he can now look forward to making his debut in Scotland. He had looked comfortable all year but in recent weeks had started to look over his shoulder as a number of challengers emerged.

After starting the final round two adrift of fellow Welshman Bradley Dredge, Donaldson produced a wonderful round under pressure. He birdied the first three holes and although he dropped a stroke at the fourth, another birdie at the sixth put him in control of his own destiny once more.

https://twitter.com/GolfThreadsBlog/status/503582087312441344/photo/1

Dredge, meanwhile, could only play the front nine in 37, one over par. For a while, it looked like Soren Kjeldsen, of Denmark, would pip Donaldson to the £128,000 first prize - he birdied four of his opening seven holes before bogeys at the eighth, ninth, 11th and 16th took him out of contention.

Dredge battled back with birdies at the 12th and 14th, but at 13 under par he trailed Donaldson by two as they reached the closing holes.

Donaldson knew that he could take nothing for granted, having fallen out of the lead in the third round after dropping shots late on. But this was a different player.

Nevertheless, he did drop a stroke at the 17th, but retained his two-shot lead when Dredge did the same thing.
Both players parred the 18th, and Donaldson was home and dry on 14 under. Kjeldsen shared third place with Merrick Bremner, of South Africa, on 11 under.

Stephen Gallacher, another Ryder Cup hopeful, finished in a tie for seventh and must now win the Italian Open next week to have any chance of overtaking Graeme McDowell.

Donaldson was thrilled with his performance.

“This is big – it’s been an amazing week,” he said.“I didn’t get here until late; I needed to play well either this week or next week, or both, to guarantee my place in the Ryder Cup team so there was a lot on the line and this week I played really well, so that’s great.

“Winning is everything: wins shoot you up world rankings, Race To Dubai, all sorts. Its massive - those three last holes coming in there were really tough with the wind blowing, so I’m just really happy to seal it.

“It’s so difficult to get into the team, the lads are playing so well. You know that you have to play well to secure your place and it did come down to the wire. But that’s how it is to get into the team – I played as well as I can play for 18 months, and then a couple of slow events and you rocket down the list, so it’s great to come here and play so well and do enough to get into the team.

“I had a great first three holes and felt very relaxed. I just had to slow things down, take my time and allow myself to play good shots all the time, as opposed to some of the time – and that went my way and worked well and enabled me to win.”

For Dredge there was the consolation of knowing that he has now won enough money to regain his playing privileges for 2015 after losing his card in 2012. However, this was his second successive runners-up finish, and it left him feeling frustrated.

“I have mixed feelings because again there was the chance to win there,” he said. “I had a two shot lead going into the last round. Both the guys got off to great starts today and I played nicely, but just didn’t putt as well today.

“I was trying to keep the pressure on and try to force the other guys into mistakes, but to be fair to Jamie he played great and I’m pleased he’s secured his place in the Ryder Cup.

“It’s been a great two weeks in terms of two seconds. Two firsts would’ve been better. Slightly disappointed I didn’t win one, but I’ll have a few more chances before the end of the year, and see how that goes.”


Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]

 


Be part of the action with a selection of unique golf tournament experiences, from playing in a pro-am with the stars to watching the action at golf’s most illustrious events. Whether it’s the Masters or The Open, The Ryder Cup or WM Phoenix Open, build your own bespoke package with the experts at Golfbreaks.com.


What do you think? post your thoughts and feedback on the Golfshake Forum: https://forum.golfshake.com/




Scroll to top