Lockerbie’s first win seals his tour place

Sep 23 2008 The Journal

PENRITH’S Gary Lockerbie secured his return to the European Tour with his first victory as a professional at the Kazakhstan Open, the most lucrative regular event on the Challenge Tour Schedule.

After a closing round of 70 at the Nurtau club in Almaty, for a 15 under par total of 273, Lockerbie collected a £54,781 winner’s cheque which propelled him to the top of the Challenge Tour Rankings.

He broke 70 in each of the first three rounds, shooting 68, 69 and a six-under 66 in the third round.

Having lost his European Tour card in his rookie season last year, the 25-year-old former English Amateur champion is now sure of an immediate return to the big stage.

Two weeks ago, it was highly uncertain whether he would secure the necessary top 20 spot on the Challenge Tour.

After 14 events, his winnings stood at only £30,342. But then came a five-way tie for second place in China, which added £18,402 to the pot.

Added to his latest winnings, that represents an influx of £73,160 from two tournaments, which gives him a total of £105,544 in prize money for the season.

With the luxury of a three-shot cushion coming down the last in Kazakhstan, Lockerbie could even afford a final hole bogey which did little to dampen his delight and he said: “I’ve really peaked at the right time.

“I’m absolutely thrilled. It was a bit greedy of me to win the biggest cheque of the year, but I’m certainly not complaining!

“I was desperate to win here this week, but I tried not to think about it too much. I was pretty nervous on the first tee in the last round, but playing with my mate Steven O’Hara helped me to relax.

“It was a great feeling to come down the last knowing even a double bogey would be enough to take the title. The goal was always to get my card back for the European Tour, and now I’ve achieved that.

“I’d love to go there as the Number One graduate. It would be some achievement, because two or three weeks ago I was worrying about whether I would make it into the top 20.

“Now I’ve gone to first in the rankings, I’d love to stay there. That’s the next target – but first I’m going to enjoy the moment.”

Englishman Stuart Davis finished two shots back in second after compiling a last round of 67 which featured six birdies on the back nine.

Italian Alessandro Tadini matched Davis’ round of 67 to finish third on 12 under par alongside Scot O’Hara, who shot a 72.

In a share of fifth on ten under par were the English duo of Chris Gane and David Horsey, and Brazil’s Alexandre Rocha.