Scotland’s top-ranked Marc Warren has delivered a much-needed vote of confidence for two of his fellow countryman contesting this week’s Portugal Masters at Vilamoura.
For Craig Lee and Chris Doak it is a penultimate opportunity to secure their 2016 Tour card given they
Lee is currently ranked 120th on the Race to Dubai money list and nine places shy of being among the 111 to retain automatic membership.
The Stirling golfer would rather not have to attend next week’s Hong Kong Open by wrapping-up his 2016 Tour card with a top-13 finish on the Algarve.
“That’s the goal this week to lock-in my card and not have the added pressure of travelling out to Hong Kong knowing all my eggs would be in the one basket,” said Lee.
Marc WARREN offering encouragement to his fellow Scots ahead of the Portugal Masters. (Picture: Golffile | Eoin Clarke)
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“But then I can’t be thinking of my Tour card this week, as well.
“It’s the same old saying and that’s to just play one shot at a time and hopefully come Sunday afternoon I would have done enough to be here full time next season.”
Warren, who has his own priority in breaking into the world’s top-50, playing alongside Lee in the final round of last week’s British Masters.
And Scotland’s top-ranked player was full of encouragement for both and in particular Lee.
He said: “It’s tough being in the situation that both Craig and Chris are in and as for Craig, he handled it brilliantly last Sunday in trying to squeeze everything out of his round.
“He had a great par on 17 and then at the last he burned the edge with his birdie attempt.
“So you do feel for players in his situation and it’s the only time you would want someone to beat you (smiling).
Craig Lee needing to finish strongly this week in Portugal to retain his Tour card for 2016.
(Photo – www.golffile.ie)
“But then I think Craig has a big performance in him, anyway. He just played lovely out there today and probably shot the worst score possible, and unfortunately to finish with a bogey is never nice.
“However his game is in good shape and his attitude is exceptional given the situation he’s in as well, so fingers crossed he has a good result the next couple of weeks.
“Craig is one of those guys when you watch him play his routine and everything is a great example for people watching as he just stands up, sees the shot and once he’s over the ball he’s purely focussed, and with no practice swing at all.
“So he’s a pleasure to play with and there is no messing about in that sense and I would welcome more guys like. He’s just been a quality player for a long time and definitely more than capable of holding onto his card in these next two weeks.”
Doak is lying well down in 160th on the money list with earnings this season of £STG 72,642 and needs a further £STG 110,000 and a top-two Algarve effort to avoid losing his Tour card.
As well, Scott Jamieson will be looking for a solid result over these next two weeks to improve his 105th standing and not be over-taken by those behind.
And David Dyrsdale revealed he still has his ankle heavily strapped and is continuing on a course of anti-inflamatories after tearing his calf muscle a month ago during the Italian Open.
However any Tour card pain was eased with Drysdale’s brilliant 13th place effort a fortnight ago at St. Andrews.
