It was a case of euphoria for some and heartache for others at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, the final regular event of the DP World Tour season.
Here is everything you need to know from an emotional week at Doha Golf Club.
Välimäki savours ‘unbelievable’ win after ‘long journey’
After coming through Qualifying School to earn his DP World Tour card for 2020, Sami Välimäki didn’t take long to make waves with victory at the Oman Open in just his sixth Tour event.
It was to be the bedrock of an impressive debut season that saw him become the first Finn to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award.
He has since come close to a return to the winner’s circle, finishing a runner-up on three occasions including twice earlier this season in South Africa and Singapore, but his wait is now over. After closing with a 69 on Sunday, the 25-year-old overcame former champion Campillo on the first play-off hole to claim a second success in the Middle East.
The triumph lifts Välimäki 23 places to seventh on the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex, putting him in a strong position to earn one of the ten PGA TOUR cards on offer for the leading finishers not already exempt.
Reflecting on his victory, he said: "Unbelievable. It's hard to talk. It's been a long journey and it feels great.
"I've worked so hard and I feel like I've earned it a couple of times but it hasn't come my way. That's why it feels so amazing."
Jamieson retains DP World Tour card
The 26th edition of the Qatar Masters represented the final chance for players to earn their full playing privileges on the DP World Tour for next season.
Among those was Scott Jamieson, who started the week 119th on the Race to Dubai Rankings, with the top 116 securing their card.
After carding a seven-under-par 65 to share the lead after the first round, the Scot sat seven shots back at the halfway stage after a 72 in the second round.
Aware of his need for a strong week, Jamieson produced a remarkable display in Saturday’s third round as he made eight birdies in his final ten holes to head into the final round three behind clubhouse leader Campillo.
After two bogeys on his front nine on Sunday, the 39-year-old once again hit his stride on the back nine as he made four birdies in a row from the tenth before adding another at the 16th to reach 16 under par.
As a result of sharing third place with Spaniard Nacho Elvira, he jumped to 82nd on the rankings to comfortably keep his card for a 14th consecutive season.
"I had spent the whole year the right side of the line and as each week went on and on, I kept missing the cuts by a shot," he said.
"I spent a lot of Friday afternoons watching the scoreboards to see if I was going to sneak in.
“I think that was probably half my problem - I was just trying to make cuts and keep my head above water.
"Then all of a sudden this week, it's a very different game. I've got to have a result. I knew in my mind it was top-20 minimum or it won't be good enough. It's just amazing what a better mindset can do.”
Fisher, Knappe grateful to finish on the right side of the line
With Jamieson the only player to climb from outside to inside the cut off for full membership status, the man to occupy the final spot on the season-long standings at the close of the week was Ross Fisher.
The Englishman carded four rounds in the red under intense pressure, signing off with a 69, to finish in a tie for 36th.
That was good enough for the five-time DP World Tour winner to finish 116th on the Race to Dubai, with Daniel van Tonder the unfortunate player to miss out by one spot.
What an end to an extraordinary season @DPWorldTour. Only myself to blame putting myself in this position. Plenty of opportunities this year but just didn't take them. So pleased with how I played this week under the pressure. #CBQMasters was a great test and the course was 👌🏻
— Ross Fisher (@RossFisher) October 29, 2023
Among those to also enjoy in a weight of pressure being relieved from their shoulders was Alexander Knappe, who finished alongside Fisher on the leaderboard in Doha to remain at 114th.
“[I was] crying in my room this morning,” said the German. “Just a hard day. But I managed to get it done and I got another season.
(Angel Hidalgo) told me last year he could have finished bogey-bogey. You still have to do it. You could potentially make a nine on the last hole. You never know. In golf everything is possible.
“He helped me get a bit of laughter during the round, even though I was so serious. He always tried to cheer me up. I appreciated it. He’s a good friend of mine.
“I was so happy to see I was playing with him in the final round. It was nice.”
A must watch interview with a very emotional @AlexKnappe after keeping his Tour card 🥹#CBQMasters pic.twitter.com/QuWy9Up4YX
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 30, 2023
Levy backed to 'come back stronger’
While some were able to reflect on an arduous campaign with reason for joy, many were not.
Among those to lose their DP World Tour card were Marc Warren and Alexander Levy, who have amassed nine titles on Tour during their careers.
Both players missed the cut by two shots, with Levy coming agonisingly close to a hole-in-one on the 17th before lipping out for a closing birdie during the delayed second round which concluded on Saturday morning.
Despite the pain of missing out on his DP World Tour card for next season, the Frenchman gave a positive outlook as he prepares for Qualifying School next month.
“If I give what I did on the last nine holes and I follow this path I think good things are going to come,” he said.
Marcel Siem was among the DP World Tour stars to send messages of support, writing on social media: "You will come back stronger my friend. You are a fighter, super nice guy and a super talented golfer.”
The season goes on…
Away from the battle for DP World Tour cards, many in the field were playing with the aim of extending the season for a few weeks longer.
With the top 60 on the Race to Dubai set to play at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and the top 50 qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship, there was plenty up for grabs.
The most notable move was made by Elvira, who climbed 26 places to 46th to put himself in position to feature at the season climax in Dubai.
With a second top ten in as many starts on Tour, Matt Wallace secured his spot in the field for the Nedbank Golf Challenge, the penultimate event of the campaign, as he climbed to 55th, while Aaron Rai will also be heading to South Africa after finishing alongside his countryman in a tie for ninth.
Another good showing at Sun City will earn the English pair their tickets to Jumeirah Golf Estates.
You can find the latest Race to Dubai Rankings here.
