Cumbria’s Gary Lockerbie has earned his first win as a professional to secure an immediate return to The European Tour.

He collected a €68,800 winner’s cheque at the Kazakhstan Open, the most lucrative regular event on the Challenge Tour Schedule, which pushed him to the top of the Challenge Tour Rankings.

He fired a final round 70 at the Nurtau Golf Club in Almatywhich took him to a 15 under par aggregate total.

The 25 year old from Penrith can now get ready to contest the European Tour Schedule next year, having only lost his playing privileges in 2007.

He could even afford to pick-up a bogey on the final hole as he went down the last with a three shot lead.

Afterwards a delighted Lockerbie told reporters: “I’m absolutely thrilled. It was a bit greedy of me to win the biggest cheque of the year, but I’m certainly not complaining! I played well in China last week and finished second, so I’ve really peaked at the right time.

"Obviously I was desperate to win here this week, but I tried not to think about it too much today. I was pretty nervous on the first tee this morning, but playing with my mate Steven O’Hara helped me to relax.

“It was a great feeling to come down the last knowing even a double bogey would be enough to take the title. The goal was always to get my card back for The European Tour, and now I’ve achieved that I’d love to go there as the Number One graduate.

“It would be some achievement, because two or three weeks ago I was worrying about whether I would make it into the top 20. Now I’ve gone to first in the Rankings, I’d love to stay there. That’s the next target – but first I’m going to enjoy the moment.” 

Lockerbie’s compatriot Stuart Davis finished two shots back in second after compiling a stunning round of 67 which featured six birdies on the back nine. Italian Alessandro Tadini matched Davis’ round of 67 to finish third on 12 under par alongside O’Hara, who shot a 72.

---

Bookmark with: what are these?