Jeunghun Wang’s dramatic three-way play-off victory at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters propelled the 21-year-old from 40th to second in the European Tour Race to Dubai rankings after claiming 398,657 points to increase his season tally to 436,151.
The Korean made his debut in last year's season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates, finishing tied 17th before being named Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year having secured back to back victories in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and the Trophée Hassan II and his victory in Qatar puts him firmly on course for a return to the event, open only to the top 60 ranked players, this November.
In windy conditions overnight leader Wang carded a one-under 71 at the Doha Golf Club which meant the tournament was to be decided in a play-off against South Africa's Jaco Van Zyl and Sweden's Joakim Lagergren. Wang sunk a birdie on the first extra hole to clinch the title.
“We congratulate Jeunghun Wang on a terrific performance in Doha,” said Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International Dubai Office. “He’s proven himself to be one of the fastest rising young stars on the European Tour and we hope to welcome him back to Jumeirah Golf Estates later this year.
Van Zyl and Lagergren each won 203,063 points after sharing second, which helped Lagergren climb to 10th in the Race to Dubai ranking while Van Zyl moved from 38th to sixth.
Aiken shared fourth with Lorenzo-Vera as they each gained 108,015, with Aiken rising from 12th to ninth and Lorenzo Vera catapulted into 10th.
Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello finished tied-sixth with compatriot Nacho Elvira and England's Jordan Smith. They each claimed 70,139 which resulted in Cabrera Bello solidifying his fourth place position in the Race to Dubai rankings, while last year’s Road to Oman champion Smith moved from 16th to 13th and Elvira catapulted from 73rd to 24th.
This week is the Omega Dubai Desert Classic held at Emirates Golf Club, Week 7 of the 2017 Race to Dubai.
All the leading players on the rankings are participating in addition to Tiger Woods who continues to make his comeback from injury.
The 2017 DP World Tour Championship takes place at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 November.
