David Drysdale admits he needs to be displaying the form that helped him retain his Tour card in tournaments closer to home, after his best finish in nearly two years at the Perth International.
Drysdale ended his 13th season on a happy note with a final-round 71 for an 11-under-par tally on the Lake Karrinyup course in Perth, Australia.
That was enough for a share of fourth, as Dane Thornbjorn Olesen recovered from a shaky start to his inward nine and hang on to win a second Tour title by three shots with a last-day 71 for a 17-under-par total.
Ryder Cup-winning rookie Victor Dubuisson warmed up for the start of the Tour's Final Four Series later this week with a storming 66 and second place on 14-under par.
Drysdale arrived in the world's remotest city lying 116th on the Race to Dubai money list and needing a top-10 finish to retain his Tour card. And the 39-year-old did that in style by holing a 30-foot birdie putt at the last to pick up 13 places and finish 103rd on the money list.
"I am still shaking from that putt on the last," he said. "It was not the best of days as I struggled a bit but standing in the fairway on the last faced with 202 yards into the wind and a 3-iron in my hand thinking I had to get up and down to have a chance . . . especially with Andrea Pavan on the board, and Kim and Matthew Nixon all in the mix.
"So to see that putt drop on the last was unbelievable. I came here thinking I had to finish seventh would be enough to keep my card but then a few guys behind me on the money list were playing well, so I'm delighted to hold on to my card."
Another Scot who was celebrating holding on to his Tour card was Bridge of Allan's Craig Lee, who shot a last-day 71 to end in a share of 53rd and moved up one place to 108th on the money list.
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