Strong finish by Stephen Gallacher earns share of sixth in Madrid

It was the 35-year-old's second successive top-ten placing after finishing fourth behind Simon Khan in the BMW PGA Championship.

Gallacher secured 45,000 for his latest effort, taking his earnings for the season to more than 400,000.

The former Dunhill Links champion made his closing score by storming to the turn in 31, having bagged three birdies and an eagle, which came at the par-4 sixth.

Two birdies coming home were countered by two bogeys coming home to finish on 13-under – eight behind winner Luke Donald.

The Scot will now head to Celtic Manor for this week's Wales Open before travelling to Sunningdale next Monday to take part in the qualifying event for July's Open Championship at St Andrews.

Gary Orr (69) tied for 28th on 280, one shot ahead of Alastair Forsyth, who matched Gallacher's closing effort.

Of the seven Scots who made the cut, Peter Whiteford (73) was next on 282, followed by Paul Lawrie (76) on 288, David Drysdale (75) on 292 and Marc Warren (73) on 295.

Donald and Rhys Davies now stand seventh and ninth respectively on the European Tour money list after coming first and second in the Madrid Masters.

Leading positions on the European Tour Race to Dubai money list

1 Ian Poulter (Eng) 1,179,878

2 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 1,142,309

3 Ernie Els (Rsa) 1,068,562

4 Lee Westwood (Eng) 944,919

5 Paul Casey (Eng) 806,268

6 Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 720,932

7 Luke Donald (Eng) 690,184

8 Simon Khan (Eng) 675,231

9 Rhys Davies (Wal) 654,267

10 Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe) 653,909

11 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 639,178

12 YE Yang (Kor) 513,468

13 Camilo Villegas (Col) 501,654

14 Thongchai Jaidee (Thai) 480,234

15 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 452,891

16 Anthony Kim (USA) 446,107

17 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 425,761

18 Padraig Harrington (Ire) 409,827

19 Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 405,826

20 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 394,778