Lee books Dubai spot

Craig Lee will join the elite doing battle for millions on offer at the season-ending Race to Dubai – just 12 months after scrambling across the globe to secure his status as a European Tour player.

In stark contrast to the fraught scenes of last year, Lee has the comfort of heading to the Middle East as one of the leading 60 players at the European Tour’s showcase finale.

The former Tartan Tour number one, who had a return flight to Scotland booked, secured his place in the $8m event after a solid showing in Turkish Airlines Open at Belek saw him rise to 58^th – with just the top 60 making it through to the DP World Championship.

“Making it to Dubai is definitely satisfying given the circumstances and a lot different to last year, when I finished 115th on the money-list,” he said.

“That’s proper pressure as your whole career is on the line. It wasn’t much fun on that back nine, but it was certainly a lot easier than trying to keep my card.

“I had a flight booked to go home, but it is much nicer flying east than west and I might celebrate with a little sherry or something on the flight to Dubai.”