Stunning finish boosts Doak in Switzerland

CHRIS Doak believes he has made big progress this year after the Greenock man secured a tied 14th finish in the Credit Suisse Challenge thanks to a superb four under par round of 67, the best round of the day at Golf Sempachersee, near Lucerne.

Doak had a stunning finish to his round when, having stepped onto the 17th tee in one under, he eagled the penultimate hole before birdeying the 18th. That meant he finished four under par for the tournament and gave him a fifth top 20 of the season, moving him to 21st in the rankings. “I played really well from start to finish,” said the 34-year-old. “I found it hard to read the putts but I played well tee to green. I had a couple of great shots for the eagle-birdie finish.”

Jamie McLeary fell to a disappointing seven over par round of 78 to finish in tied 37th place, having entered the day just four shots off the lead. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Frenchman Gary Stal claimed his second Challenge Tour title in as many months, beating compatriot Alexandre Kaleka in a play-off.