Englishman Richard McEvoy moved to the brink of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai top 60 after claiming a first European Tour title after 285 attempts, at the Porsche European Open in Hamburg, Germany.
The 39 year old, who sealed his third Challenge Tour victory last week at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge in France, started the final round with a share of the lead with European Tour affiliate member Bryson DeChambeau but took the outright lead early in the round after the American carded back-to-back bogeys. Both players dropped further shots on the back nine and as DeChambeau’s bid faltered with five dropped shots in the last four holes, McEvoy sensationally birdied the last to avoid a play-off with local amateur Allen John, Swede Christofer Blomstrand and France’s Renato Paratore. With the win, the two-time Challenge Tour graduate receives 387,500 Race to Dubai points which sees him make significant strides from 192nd to 63rd on the Race to Dubai Rankings with a season total of 447,330 points.
“It was a long time coming but congratulations to Richard on finally getting over the line to claim his maiden European Tour title,” said Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International, Dubai. “The hard work down the years has paid off and I’m sure he will now be aiming to seal a spot at Jumeirah Golf Estates for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.”
After laying up on par five 18th, McEvoy looked like he had left himself too much to do with a tricky 20-foot uphill putt standing in the way of the trophy. But the six-time European Tour Qualifying School graduate held his nerve to sensationally sink the putt before celebrating with his caddie in front of the elated crowds at Green Eagles Golf Club.
“I’ve waited a long time – 17 years as a Pro on and off the Tour,” said McEvoy. “I’m absolutely over the moon. A lot of hard work, a lot of bad years, and a lot of good years but it has never quite happened but it was my time on that 18th green today.”
“I fought hard, I believed, and even at the last I overpowered my caddie to lay it up to give myself the best opportunity to make birdie and I managed to do it.”
Blomstrand and Paratore’s second place finish saw both men pick up 173,710 Race to Dubai points which moves them closer to the coveted Race to Dubai top 60 and a place in the final Rolex Series event of the year – the DP World Tour Championship. Paratore climbs to 76th from 142nd with 362,888 points whilst Blomstrand moves up 94 places from 201st to 107th on 252,883 points.
Played final round Q School in 2016 with @RichardMcEvoy79. His Mrs is a school teacher I believe and they’ve got kids. I’ve got nothing but respect for people like Richie and his wife. Really gutsy performance today. I’ll have a wine for them tonight. 🍷👍
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) July 29, 2018
Former Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed finished in a tie for ninth after he had been only one off the lead heading into the final round. The American remains in second place on the Rankings with a season total of 2,973,598 points. Sweden’s Alex Noren sits just behind in third on 2,651,874 points whilst The Open Championship winner Francesco Molinari leads the way with an outstanding 4,234,946 points.
The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai takes place at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 15-18.
