Dale Whitnell held his nerve to claim his first DP World Tour win after a dramatic final day of the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed.
The Englishman set the tone for his week at Ullna Golf and Country Club with a closing 96-yard hole-out eagle on day one and carried that momentum into a second-round 61 that handed him a six-shot lead at the halfway stage.
That advantage was cut to two with two to play as American Sean Crocker put the pressure on with a closing 65 but Whitnell birdied the 17th to give himself some breathing room and signed for a 70 and a three-shot win at 21 under.
Anne van Dam was the leading women’s player at 15 under after a 69, alongside Yannik Paul who carded a closing 72.
South Africa’s Louis de Jager shared 12th position on 11 under after a final-round 70, with countryman Justin Walters ending on 10 under after carding 70.
A maiden Tour victory for @Dale_Whitnell ? #VolvoScandinavianMixed pic.twitter.com/rrw3QJ0zpt
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 11, 2023
But the headlines belonged to Whitnell, who completed his long journey to the winner’s circle 14 years after turning professional.
The 34-year-old played in the Walker Cup alongside Tommy Fleetwood in 2009 but had a spell as a courier as he played on satellite Tours before winning the KPMG Trophy in his rookie season on the European Challenge Tour 10 years later.
That was the same year he earned his DP World Tour card at the Qualifying School and now, with three top 10s already in 2023, he is a winner in his 106th start and moves into the top 20 on the Race to Dubai Rankings.
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
