Maybin seals Dubai berth

TOUR rookie Gareth Maybin is now heading to next month’s season-ending Dubai World Championship while Gary Murphy has moved closer to securing his Tour card after the Irish duo shared fourth place in the Madrid Masters.

Maybin carded the lowest final round of an eight under par 64 while Murphy battled dehydration in carding a 68 for both to end on 18-under par on the Centro Nacional course.

England’s Ross McGowan secured a maiden Tour win courtesy of a final round 71 and win by three strokes on 25-under par while his victory moves him into second place behind fellow Brit Simon Dyson on the 2010 Ryder Cup qualifying point’s list

Finland’s Mikko Ilonen signed off for a 66 to finish second while Scotland’s David Drysdale carded a 67 to secure third place on 21-under par.

Unfortunately, Maybin’s score will not be officially recognised as a preferred rule was in effect for all four rounds. But what will count is a fifth top-10 of the season to secure a start in this week’s Portugal Masters while his €63,700 cheque sees him move from 55th to 48th on the money list.

“I should have earned enough money today to be assured of staying inside the top-60 and qualify me for Dubai,” said Maybin.

“After finishing second earlier this year that has then been my goal and this results lifts a lot of pressure off my shoulders in that regards.

“I definitely haven’t stopped trying for that first win but to also finish top-10 gets me into the Portugal Masters, and that’s another big plus.”

Murphy has jumped 25 places to 120th on the Race to Dubai money table and now only has to get inside the top-115 to wrap-up his card.

However he suffered dehydration over the front nine before managing five inward nine birdies in his four under par last day tally.

“I began shaking on the first green and I thought it was nerves but it couldn’t have been nerves because I was playing alongside two mates,” he said. “So I got some water into me and played lovely over the back nine with four birdies.”

Murphy’s effort was his best result all year and 10 places higher than a prior season best of 14th in the recent Austrian Open.

“I still have a bit of work to do but if I play well everything takes care of itself,” he said.

“It’s only when you listen to the mad dogs barking at you that the trouble starts.”

Damien McGrane (67) finished in a share of 17th place, Peter Lawrie (70) 43rd while Shane Lowry (72) tailed out in a share of 53rd.

Rory McIlroy, who did not compete in Madrid, continues to head the Race to Dubai money list, and he has this week’s Portugal Masters to further extend his lead over second-place Martin Kaymer.

Kaymer, who broke bones in his left foot, has indicated he will return to competition at next week’s Castellon Masters.