McGrane secures card as Phelan begins own quest

Damien McGrane guaranteed his Tour card for next season with a share of third in the KLM Open, while rookie professional Kevin Phelan will next travel to Portugal in search of similar status.

There was an uncharacteristic fist pump from McGrane in holing a testy three metre final putt for par in a round of 69 to join three others, including former KLM Open winners Ross Fisher (66) and Simon Dyson (68) plus Frenchman Gregory Havret (66) on nine under par.

However, minutes later there were wild scenes when Joost Luiten became the first Dutch-born winner in 10 years when he defeated Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez with a par at the first extra play-off hole.