The Masters winning duo of Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed have collectively handed David Drysdale a huge boost heading into this week’s AVIV Dubai Championship at the Jumeirah Estates.
Drysdale arrived into Dubai earlier in the week for his final event of the ‘regular’ 2021 season lying at 123rd on the Race to Dubai money list and then two places outside of the leading 121 at the end of this week who will retain automatic 2022 membership.
The Borders golfer dropped out of automatic qualifiers in missing the halfway cut in last week’s Portugal Masters ahead of teeing-up this week on the Fire course.
Scotland’s David Drysdale on the Jumeirah Estates practice range. Photograph – Tour Miss
However, late on Wednesday night (UAE time) both Garcia, who was lying 43rd on the Race to Dubai, and Reed at 49th, were removed from the standings as they had not satisfied certain Tour playing criteria this past season. In Garcia’s situation the Spaniard did not play a ‘home’ event.
It is understood both players will end their year next week credited with 121st place on the Race to Dubai.
For Dyrsdale, who has retained his Tour for every season since 2009, it is a huge lift heading in this week’s opening round meaning he’s now up to 121st on the money list and right on the now expected cut-off mark to retain his card
Dyrsdale said: “We learnt from the Tour late today Sergio (Garcia) and (Patrick) Reed had their names taken off the Race to Dubai. They’re also both honorary members of the Tour and we understand Keith Pelley handed both a special exemption to play the DP World which was nice of the Tour though their money and Race to Dubai points will not count.
“I has come here earlier in the week half-feeling I wasn’t too worried having made nine of my last 13 cuts but without really not doing anything given I’ve had ample opportunities.
“I missed the cut last week and a lower back twinge had me withdrawing from the Mallorca Open while this week is all about getting my head down a result and I know now, and given the news this afternoon, I don’t need a lot to get over the line and hold onto my card and retain that safety net”.
News of Garcia and Reed has also lifted Scott Jamieson’s Race to Dubai aspirations.
Florida-based Jamieson has again easily raked-up more air miles than any Scot this year and now up two spots to 113th he still needs to finish higher in this week’s final event if he’s to be playing in the Middle East at the start of 2022 and also qualify for July’s Scottish Open
Jamieson said: “I’ve been here to Jumeirah before for the DP World but I didn’t play this week’s event last year and it’s a bit odd seeing all the advertising for next week but with most of us here this week not into next week.
“If I win this week, I should qualify for next week but my main goal is to boost my 113th ranking so that I will hopefully qualify for Abu Dhabi and Dubai next year while the top-115 on the money list was the cut-off point for entry into the Scottish Open.
“So, I’ll be out to finish this week as high-up as I can”.
Seven other Scots are in the Dubai field headed by top-ranked Tartan golfer Robert MacIntyre
