Justin Walters is in a race against time to save his European Tour card and hopes a solid finish at the KLM Open will spur him on to a strong finish.
The Race to Dubai continues to roll towards its conclusion with Walters just one of many vying to secure a place in the top 100 and with it a card for next season.
The 36-year-old South African missed nine cuts in a row before losing in the first round of the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play in mid-August. To compound things, Walters did not have one round in the 60s in those 10 events.
He broke that streak at the Made in Denmark a week later. He notched up three rounds in the 60s and booked a T14 finish, added €25380 to his account and got him somewhat back on track. It was the first time he troubled the Race to Dubai standings since he finished T13 at the Volvo China Open at the end of April.
Another missed cut followed a week later in the Czech Republic but he added a few thousand euros at the Omega European Masters.
Then came his best week for half a year.
He opened with a 72 but climbed the leaderboard with a Friday 67. He climbed a little more on Saturday with a 65 and closed with a 67 that saw him finish in a share of third – just two behind eventual winner Romain Wattel.
‘I really found the rhythm in my swing and overall the game’s raised a level,’ said Walters.
He said a word of advice from David Drysdale might have done the trick as he rallied to his first top-five finish of the season.
‘David said, “Why don’t you just show up Wednesday afternoon. Don’t do anything Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and just go play; you know the golf course.” And I did that, and I think what helped me was because I was fresh. I felt more focused,’ Walters said.
Walters is now 122 on the Race to Dubai. There are only a handful of events left so this week’s Portugal Masters and the British Masters are crucial if he wants to retain his status.
Credit: Sunshine Tour
