European Tour Shows Strength in Depth at Whistling Straits

It was a fine week for The European Tour at Whistling Straits with five members finishing in the top ten at the US PGA Championship, where Australian Jason Day claimed his first Major with a three-stroke victory over new World Number One Jordan Spieth.

Branden Grace, a two-time European Tour winner this season, followed up on his tied fourth place finish in the US Open by taking third place, two shots behind Spieth on 15-under par 273, to move up two places into the top five in The Race Dubai. The highlight of the talented South African’s week coming with a flawless 64 in the third round that ended with a chip in from the bunker for a birdie at the last.

“Obviously I’m getting closer in the Majors, which I want to do,” said Grace. “I feel that my game is keeping up and the standard of golf that I’m playing is showing. And I don’t have to step down for these guys.”

World Number Five Justin Rose, winner of the 2013 US Open, continued to show his class on the biggest stages with a fine performance that saw him alongside Grace, three shots off Day’s lead heading into the final round, before a closing 70 left him in fourth place at 14 under par. The result also saw the Englishman move up a place into fourth in The Race to Dubai.

Two of The European Tour’s newest shining stars, in the shape of India’s Anirban Lahiri and America’s Brooks Koepka, shared fifth place at 13 under par to move to eighth place and 11th place respectively in The Race to Dubai while George Coetzee’s tied seventh place finish propelled him from 28th to 17th in the season-long rankings.

Each of the ‘Famous Five’ will be on display when the DP World Tour Championship gets underway at the stunning Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday November 19 to Sunday November 22 having already secured enough Race to Dubai points for the season-ending grand finale, open only to the top 60 ranked available players.

Martin Kaymer, winner of the event last time it was played at Whistling Straits in 2010, put in a solid display to finish in a share of 12th place at ten under par and move to 17th in season rankings while Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy eased his way back into tournament play after a spell on the sidelines through injury to finish 17th at nine under par.

With Ernie Els, Tyrell Hatton and defending DP World Tour Champion Henrik Stenson all finishing in the top 25 in Wisconsin it was a strong showing by The European Tour members in the final Major of the season and with only Els yet to secure his DP World Tour Championship spot, the field is already looking packed full of quality for the season-ending showcase in November. 

General admission for the DP World Tour Championship is free of charge and can be obtained by registering online at www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com. Those who register will also be placed into a prize draw with the chance to win a VIP Hospitality package for the Championship Chalet.