D+D REAL Czech Masters: The Debrief

Todd Clements put on a flawless Sunday display to earn maiden win, MacIntyre keeps in front in Ryder Cup qualifying race, and plenty of players try to impress European Captain Luke Donald

Todd Clements' Sunday charge earns him maiden win

Todd Clements went on a Sunday birdie-spree to earn his maiden Tour victory at the D+D REAL Czech Masters, holding off a challenge from Matt Wallace with a final round 63.

Clements, who graduated from the Challenge Tour last year and said he was inspired by childhood friend Daniel Brown’s victory last week, carded nine birdies on his way to a one stroke victory in just his 30th appearance on Tour.

Starting the day three strokes back, Clements opened with three consecutive birdies to join the top, and quickly became the man to catch with three more from the sixth to make the turn in 30. The Englishman then found another gear, holing from 42 feet on the 11th, laying up and putting an approach to eight feet at the par-five next and sticking his tee-shot to four feet at the 13th to lead by three. Wallace got to within one shot by the 14th but was unable to find a final birdie over the last four holes.

“Given the circumstances that’s got to be the best round of my life,” a delighted Clements said. “I’m over the moon. I’ve dreamt about winning for a long time and with my birthday coming up on Tuesday I couldn’t be happier.”

“Me and Dan grew up playing golf together, he’s a good friend of mine.I was so over the moon to see him win last week, it gave me the belief that I can do it as well. I know I can compete at this level. I’ve always believed it deep down and to show it today I’m very proud of myself.”

Taking dead aim

On his way to victory, Todd Clements ranked third for Strokes Gained Approach for the week. On Sunday he exhibited that in style early on his way to a course-record-equalling 63, which was also achieved by both Sami Valimaki on Thursday and Matt Wallace on Friday

MacIntyre remains on top of Ryder Cup European Points Race

Robert MacIntyre will retain a slender lead in the European Points List heading into the final week of Ryder Cup Qualifying after finishing in a six-way tie for fourth at Albatross Golf Resort.

The Scot birdied his final hole to finish his week on 17 under par, gaining 85.42 points in the Czech Republic to increase his total on the European Points List to 1828.99.

It increases his advantage over Yannik Paul, who began his week just 90.67 points behind MacIntyre and finished one behind him in tenth place on 16 under par. It means Paul gained 50 points to stand on 1702.9, which leaves him 126.09 points adrift of the man who displaced him in the automatic spot with one week to go.

MacIntyre and Paul are two of six players in next week’s field that can end the week in Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup team. They all have a various scenarios necessary to make that happen, but Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, Rasmus Hojgaard and Adrian Otaegui all have a mathematical chance of claiming that third and final place.

· MacIntyre could still be caught even if he finishes second, so needs to win to absolutely guarantee his place.

· Paul qualifies if he wins, needs T3 with 2 others or better to have a chance

· Meronk needs T2 with one or better to have a chance

· Perez needs 2nd alone or to win to have a chance

· R Hojgaard needs to win to have a chance

· Otaegui needs to win to have a chance

Trying to impress for a Captain’s pick

Luke Donald will make his six Captain’s picks on Monday September 4th following the end of automatic qualification period next Sunday, and will have plenty to consider after a plethora of players aimed to impress in the penultimate event.

Nicolai Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg, two players in need of a pick that were discussed in the Ryder Cup conversation throughout the week, gained plenty of attention while paired with Vice Captain Francesco Molinari during the opening two days.

Nicolai, who carded all four rounds in the 60s, finished third behind Wallace (who carded a 63 of his own on day two) on 18 under par, while Aberg was one shot behind on 18 under par in a group of five other players that included Robert MacIntyre and joint 54-hole leader Sami Valimaki.

Alexander Bjork, who played alongside Captain Donald and MacIntyre during the first two days, held the lead at the half-way stage and ended his week in a tie for 14th, while Yannik Paul and Victor Perez finished in 11th and 12th respectively.