Trailing third-round leader Campillo all afternoon, Finland’s Valimaki finally hit the front at the 17th courtesy of a seven-foot birdie putt.

But the pendulum swung back Campillo’s way as the Spaniard birdied the last to join Valimaki on 18-under par and take the contest to extra holes.

And Valimaki only needed one play-off hole to seal victory, as a nerveless birdie putt earned him a second DP World Tour title.

Scott Jamieson secured his card for next season with another stunning back-nine display at Doha Golf Club, signing for a closing 69 to finish in a tie for third alongside Nacho Elvira on 16-under.

Valimaki went into the final round one shot behind leader Campillo but found himself two back straight away after his playing partner birdied the first for the fourth round in succession to get to 17-under.

And the 25-year-old appeared in danger of being cut adrift after dropping a shot at the sixth.

But he responded with back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth, holing from around 15 feet on both occasions.

He cut the gap at the top to one shot with an 11-foot birdie at the 12th, before pulling alongside 2020 champion Campillo with a 20-foot putt on the 13th, with the Spaniard narrowly missing his birdie attempt from 13 feet moments later.

Campillo came agonisingly close to getting a birdie on the next hole but his 16-foot effort clung to the left edge of the cup without dropping.

But no damage was done as Valimaki failed to take advantage from a little closer in.

Errant tee-shots from both of the leaders at the 15th threw the battle wide open, with Valimaki among the pebbles and Campillo in the thick rough.

While Valimaki opted to knock his ball back on to the fairway, Campillo went for the green and managed to two-putt from 40 feet for par, while the Finn surrendered a bogey after missing his 20-foot par try.

But it was Campillo’s turn to find the rocks with his tee-shot at the 16th, and he made his first bogey of the day to sit alongside Valimaki on 17-under.

Both players found the green at the short 17th, but after Campillo’s 13-foot putt pulled up just shy, Valimaki holed from seven feet to take the lead for the first time all afternoon.

The momentum swung back Campillo’s way on the 18th as he found the green in two, while Valimaki had to lay up. With Valimaki only managing a par to sign for a closing 69, Campillo tapped in his birdie putt from close range to post a 70 and take the contest to a play-off.

But Valimaki came out on top at the first extra hole, knocking in his birdie putt from around six feet after Campillo had missed his attempt.

An emotional Valimaki was thrilled with his victory, saying: “Unbelievable. It’s hard to talk. It’s been a long journey and it feels great.

“I’ve worked so hard and I feel like I’ve earned it a couple of times but it hasn’t come my way. That’s why it feels so amazing.”

When asked what it meant to have his fiancée present for his victory, he added: “She is my number one.”

Main image: DP World Tour

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Sami Välimäki produced a clinic for the fans as he carded a flawless 63 to surge into a two-shot lead following the first round of the Czech Masters.

The Finn carded the lowest round to be signed at Albatross Golf Resort, but it did not go down in the record books due to preferred lies at the 12th hole, where he carded one of his nine birdies.

Despite not making the history books, Välimäki showcased his ability in all facets of his game with some brilliant ball-striking and clutch putting to keep his nose ahead of Denmark’s Ryder Cup hopeful Nicolai Højgaard, Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune, German Maximilian Schmitt, Swede Alexander Björk and England’s Todd Clements, who all sit at seven-under.

“I was a bit disappointed I couldn’t make a third (62 in the season),” Välimäki said. “I was just flowing. When you start putting good and hitting it good, you just keep going and enjoy the round.

“Last time I missed the cut by a lot of shots, so I didn’t have big expectations for the week. It’s nice to start this way.”

Robert MacIntyre and Yannik Paul, who sit third and fourth respectively in the European Ryder Cup Points List with only one automatic qualifying spot available, were in the group of four at six-under par, alongside Team Europe vice-captain Edoardo Molinari and India’s Manu Gandas in a competitive field in Prague.

Välimäki, the 2020 Oman Open champion, started with a birdie from 14 feet at the tenth before putting his approach from the rough at the next to three feet to reach two under through two holes.

He made it three in a row at the 12th before landing his tee shot to 14 feet at the 13th, which he drained for a fourth successive gain.

Välimäki did not stop there as his putter continued to be hot when he rolled in from 23 feet to climb to five-under par through five holes.

The 25-year-old had further chances at the 17th and 18th as he parred his way at the turn, but he got back on the birdie trail at the first when he chipped to seven feet to pick up his sixth shot of the day.

He dialled in to 12 feet at the par three third saw him move to seven-under and he missed another effort at the next.

Hisatsune and Schmitt were already in the clubhouse with their first rounds of 65, with Gandas still on the course at the seven-under mark.

However, when Välimäki hit in his approach to five feet at the fifth and he rolled in the birdie putt, he was the sole leader.

The Finn saved par at the seventh following a fine bunker shot before he doubled his advantage with a gain from 12 feet at the eighth, and he was inches from reaching double figures with his birdie effort at the last.

Højgaard has an outside shot of being part of Luke Donald’s European team in Rome next month and the Dane would have impressed vice-captain Francesco Molinari, who was his playing partner on Thursday.

He opened up with back-to-back birdies before adding another at the sixth before dropping his only shot of the day at the eighth.

That injected a spur of low scoring around the turn as a birdie-eagle-birdie from the ninth saw him jump up to six under and with a chance of seriously challenging Välimäki.

Højgaard missed great chances from six feet for a gain at the 13th and 15th before he finally rolled one in at the last to get to seven-under.

Bjork and Clements were flawless in their rounds of 65 with seven birdies apiece, while Hisatsune carded eight gains and one bogey and Schmitt mixed two dropped shots with nine birdies.

MacIntyre and Paul, who are separated by only 90.67 points in the European Points List, did not shy from the Ryder Cup battle as they both carded 33 on the front and back nine in their blemish-free rounds

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By Kent Gray
Reigning European Tour Rookie-of-the-Year Sami Välimäki won’t get the chance to defend the title that propelled him to Sir Henry Cotton Trophy glory last season, not in the foreseeable future anyway.

The Oman Open in Muscat remains indefinitely postponed due to a directive from Oman’s Supreme Committee in late January that saw all gatherings, international functions and sporting events in the Sultanate stopped with immediate effect due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The March 4-7 event at Al Mouj Golf, the first tournament of 2021 to be stalled by COVID-19, was to be the fourth of five early-season events in the Middle East. The $1.5 million Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, to be staged at Education City Golf Club in Doha for the second time from March 11-14, remains on the European Tour schedule.

The 18th at Greg Norman’s Muscat gem, Al Mouj Golf.

At the time of the Oman Open postponement, the European Tour released a statement saying attempts to reschedule the event were ongoing.

“All parties are looking into the possibility of rescheduling the tournament at some point later in the year, but there are no definitive plans at this stage.”

Tom Phillips, the European Tour’s Head of Middle East, confirmed COVID-19 meant ever-moving goalposts in the region.

“While challenges undoubtedly remain due to the ongoing global situation, as shown by the recent postponement of the Oman Open, we are looking forward to returning to the Middle East next month for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and then playing a full schedule before our season finale, the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, in November,” he said.

Välimäki beat Brandon Stone in a playoff to claim his maiden European Tour title at Al Mouj Golf last year, a week before Spaniard Jorge Campillo captured the Qatar Masters. Immediately afterwards, the European Tour called a halt on its 2020 season as world sport ground to a halt courtesy of the pandemic.

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The big-hitting South African teen has been confirmed for the $3.25 million OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic alongside reigning European Tour Rookie of the Year Sami Välimäki and four other first time winners from 2020: Robert MacIntyre, Romain Langasque, Min Woo Lee and Rasmus Højgaard.

Why should you care? Take a wee peak at this video from November’s Joburg Open:

Wilco Nienaber’s 439 yard drive ?#JoburgOpen pic.twitter.com/AY6NNgPVUM

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2020

Sure, Randpark G.C. is more than 5000 feet above sea level but a 439-yard NUKE on a 597-yard par 5… sheesh.

It will be a marvel to see how the 19-year-old attacks the Majlis layout at Emirates Golf Club where DeChambeau, not yet at his bulky best, won with a record 24-under-par (264) total, low final round (64) and record winning margin – seven shots over Matt Wallace – in 2019.

“Last year went beyond my expectations and I can’t wait to see what 2021 has in store,” said Nienaber who went on to finish runner-up in Joburg after a 4th place finish at the English Championship after receiving a last-minute place in the field as an alternate.

“I’m really excited about being able to tee it up in events like the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic for the first time, hopefully I’ll be able to play my best and write my name alongside some of the game’s greatest players who have won this famous event.”

RELATED: Ten Major champs poised for OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic

Nienaber, 46th in last season’s Race to Dubai standings, will hope to emulate illustrious compatriot Ernie Els by winning his maiden European Tour title at Emirates Golf Club from Jan. 28-31.

The ‘Major of the Middle East’ boasts a roll call of champions including Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros and Colin Montgomerie and is also breeding ground for upcoming talent, with Els (1994) and Rory McIlroy (2009) breaking through on the Majlis.

2020 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie-of-the-Year Sami Välimäki

Välimäki’s ascent, meanwhile, has been rapid. After earning his European Tour card through Q-School in November 2019, he won on his sixth start on Tour at last year’s Oman Open and went on to finish 11th in the Race to Dubai.

Earlier this month he was named the ‘Breakthrough Athlete of the Year’ at the Finnish Sports Personality of the Year awards.

“Last season I achieved the main goal I had, which was to win and get a better category on Tour, and now I can’t wait to make my OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic debut this year,” said the 22-year-old from Finland.

“To be able to progress to this point after only turning professional in 2019 is something I’m very proud of and I want to keep going and keep improving. I know this is an important event in the world of golf when you look at some of the past winners and it would be amazing to join them.”

RELATED: Henrik Stenson headlines past winners set to help mark UAE Golden Jubilee at Desert Classic

MacIntyre was named the 2019 Rookie of the Year after he had three runner-up finishes and he broke through late on in 2020 with victory at the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown. Now the 24-year-old is ready to kick-on and underline his status as one of Europe’s rising stars.

Bob MacIntyre

“I finished eighth in my OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic debut last year and felt good on the Majlis course throughout the week,” said the left-hander from Scotland.

“As a whole, last year was up-and-down for me on the golf course, but I’m looking forward to a clean slate this year and hopefully making some more progress – and this will be a great test against a world-class field and I’m excited to return.”

Højgaard was one of the in-form players when the Tour resumed after the initial halt to the 2020 season to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The young Dane posted four top-10s in succession during the UK Swing last summer, ending that run with his second victory of the campaign at the ISPS Handa UK Championship.

“My debut at the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic last year didn’t quite go as planned as I missed the cut but I enjoyed the tournament and the experience,” said Højgaard, 19, who was born a week after his compatriot Thomas Bjørn won the 2001 Dubai Desert Classic.

Rasmus Højgaard

“The golf course was hard but playable and now I know what to expect when I return so I’m looking forward to getting back there again.”

Australia’s Lee sealed his first victory on home soil at last year’s ISPS Handa Vic Open and he will be hoping to follow in his elder sister’s footsteps as a winner in Dubai after Minjee won the OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic in November.

Min Woo Lee will look to emulate his sister as an Emirates Golf Club champion

“Watching Minjee win in Dubai last year was special and I can’t wait to get out there and try and emulate her,” said Lee. “It felt great to get my first win early in the year and I’m feeling good about the new season and making my debut in the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic.”

Frenchman Langasque, who clinched the prestigious Amateur Championship at Carnoustie in 2015, won his first European Tour title with two-stroke win over Välimäki at the ISPS Handa Wales Open at Celtic Manor last August. Prior to the victory, the 25-year-old has posted nine top tens on Tour including a runner-up finish at the 2019 South African Open.

Romain Langasque

An elite field has been assembled for this year’s OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic, with a host of Major champions and Ryder Cup stars including Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Tommy Fleetwood and Ian Poulter all set to mix it with the stars of tomorrow.

In what is the 32nd staging of the tournament, attendance will be for invited guests only but the action will be beamed to a worldwide audience on mainstream broadcast sports networks, and highlights and exclusive content will be shared on the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic social media channels.

RELATED: Paul Casey set for Majlis return as second wave of Desert Classic player confirmations unveiled

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By Joel Beall
The USGA announced Monday that 10 players have earned exemptions into the 2020 U.S. Open through their performance in the European Tour’s U.K Swing.

The USGA’s flagship event, which will be comprised solely of exempt players due to the cancellation of local and sectional qualifying in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, invited the top 10 aggregate point earners from the Euro Tour’s five restart events who weren’t already in the Winged Foot field. The 10 are Sam Horsfield, Thomas Detry, Andy Sullivan, Rasmus Hojgaard, Renato Paratore, Romain Langasque (who won the Wales Open on Sunday), Sami Valimaki, Dubai-based Adrian Otaegui, Connor Syme and Justin Harding.

Horsfield, 24, has won twice in August, capturing a breakthrough victory at the Hero Open and returning to the winner’s circle two weeks later at the Celtic Classic. Detry, 27, finished runner-up to Horsfield at both events. This marks Horsfield’s fourth appearance in the U.S. Open with Detry—a former Big Ten Player of the Year at Illinois—making his major championship debut.

Sullivan, 33, a former member of the European Ryder Cup team, is making his first U.S. Open start since 2016 at Oakmont. Harding, 34, was in the mix through 36 holes at the 2019 Masters and will be making his second consecutive U.S. Open start.

Other U.S. Open exemptions still to be handed out will be the top-five point earners from the three-event 2020 Korn Ferry Tour Series as well as the top five in the final FedEx Cup standings who are otherwise not exempt.

The 120th U.S. Open begins on Sept. 17 at Winged Foot Golf Club West Course in Mamaroneck, N.Y. Gary Woodland is the defending champ.

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By John Huggan
On a packed final-round leaderboard—six players began the day tied for first—it was always going to take something special to break out of the sizeable throng gathered at or near the apex of the Oman Open.

Or somethings special. Which is how it turned out. Even before they embarked on what would eventually be a three-hole playoff for the title, Brandon Stone and Sami Valimaki both made lengthy putts for unlikely 3s at the 465-yard par-4 72nd hole. Those birdies took the South African and the young Finn (playing in only his sixth European Tour event) to 13 under par, one shot clear of Frenchman Adrien Saddier. As many as 13 others finished within five shots of the playoff pair.

Pars each on the aforementioned 18th in the first two playoff holes, necessitated a third to settle the destination of the first-place cheque. And it was Stone, a three-time European Tour winner, who blinked, pulling his approach left of the green, then failing to get up-and-down to match Valimaki’s solid two-putt par. That 4 was, in fact, only the new champion’s sixth par in his last 15 holes; his two-under 70 in the final round over the Al Mouj Golf course included seven birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey 6 at the ninth that had appeared to end his victory chances.

Two more bogeys would follow for Valimaki, who only 18 months ago was doing his national service in the Finnish army, but four birdies more than made up for those mistakes. More crucially, none of the principal challengers could match his two-under-par aggregate over the closing four holes. Where most were faltering, he was flourishing.

“It’s awesome,” was Valimaki’s understandably almost speechless initial reaction. “There are not many words to say, it’s unbelievable. After the ninth hole, when I made a double, I knew that the 10th hole is good and I had to make a birdie on that. I didn’t make a really good par on 11 and after that bogey I felt like, ‘OK, this is gone.’ But then I just grinded, made three birdies and on the last, an awesome birdie.”

While the field he had to beat in Oman was far from the best the European Tour has to offer—not one of the 17 men who finished in the top 10 ranked inside the world’s top 100 and only three were inside the top 150—Valimaki’s progress up the professional ladder has so far been remarkably swift. Following the example of former World No. 1 Martin Kaymer, the 21-year-old was last year a four-time winner on what was the Germany-based EPD Tour and is now the Pro Golf Tour, a feat that earned him promotion to last year’s European Challenge circuit. He got his European Tour card at Q school last fall, and a T-7 finish at the recent Vic Open in Australia hinted at a burgeoning potential that has been further underlined with this victory.

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