Race to Dubai hots up for impressive Parry

John Parry is targeting a place at the season-ending Dubai World Championship after recording his best finish of the season at the Wales Open.
England's John ParryEngland's John Parry
England's John Parry

The 26-year-old from Harrogate finished in a tie for fourth after weekend rounds of 73 and 68 saw him close on three under par, five shots behind winner Gregory Bourdy of France.

Coming on the back of a fifth place at the Scottish Open in July, the result puts Parry on the fringes of the top 60, which is the cut-off for the lucrative showdown in the desert in November.

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Parry said: “Another bonus is that there is a good chance I could get into the new Turkish Open because, while it has places available for anyone in top 50 in the world, word has it that the many PGA Tour players are not too interested in playing.”

The Yorkshireman’s performance at Celtic Manor which netted him a cheque for 96,649 euros (£82,254) almost certainly ensures he will retain his card for next season.

Parry said: “My golf was not that good on Saturday as I dropped out of contention after shooting a 73, but I finished my week in grand style.

“After hitting the par-five 11th in two and then two putting for birdie from 70 feet, I played the last eight holes in four under to pick up another big pay cheque.”

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Parry has also sealed his place at the European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre this week.

Bourdy birdied the 16th, 17th and 18th at Celtic Manor to deny Peter Uihlein his second win of the season, the American finishing two behind due to a bogey on the last as he tried to find the birdie needed to force a play-off.

“It’s one of my big goals and dreams to be in the Ryder Cup,” Bourdy said after a closing 67 which also featured a holed bunker shot for an eagle on the second.

“But I didn’t realise the points started this week until after my first round.

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“I’ve been playing golf since I was three years old and it’s always been my dream to win majors and be in the Ryder Cup, especially in France in 2018.

“Now I have a chance to make the next one but there are a lot of tournaments to play. It’s a great start but I will need to play very well because there are so many great players in Europe and it’s going to be tough as usual to be in the team.”

Colin Montgomerie claimed his first win on the European Senior Tour as he romped to a six-shot victory at the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters.

The Scot only became eligible to play senior golf when he turned 50 in June and his win at Woburn has come in just his seventh event.

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