Max McCardle has saved his best till last at the PGA Tour China’s Ping An Bank Open, a Sunday 65 rocketing him up the leaderboard and keeping him inside the top-10 on the Order of Merit.
Max McCardle has saved his best till last at the PGA Tour China’s Ping An Bank Open, a Sunday 65 rocketing him up the leaderboard and keeping him inside the top-10 on the Order of Merit.
McCardle opened with three pedestrian rounds of even par to be well off the pace through 54 holes but hit back with some brilliant golf Sunday to salvage a T22 finish.
The South Australian’s 7-under effort was the equal best round of the day and kept some momentum in what has been a standout year.
While he fell outside the all important 5-five on the Order of Merit who will earn playing rights on the Web.com Tour in 2017, the damage was limited by his good play Sunday.
He dropped from fifth to eighth on the earnings table but with four events remaining on the schedule is still an excellent chance to advance.
Peter Cooke took top Australian honours for the week with a T19 finish, McCardle just one shot behind and next best alongside Jack Munro.
Rohan Blizard, the only Australian winner on the PGA Tour China this year, finished T32 to hold on to 10th spot on the Order of Merit with David McKenzie and James Gibellini sharing T36 a shot further back.
A disappointing final round 76 dropped former PGA TOUR player David Lutterus from inside the top-20 to T44.
Gavin Flint and Chris Wood (T56) and Daniel Nisbet (T59) were the last of the Australians to make the cut.
Among those missing the weekend were Jake Higginbottom and Lincoln Tighe who were both one shot outside the cut line.