A closing three-under-par 67 saw Robin Williams finish in a share of fifth on Sunday in the Challenge Tour’s Black Desert NI Open presented by Tom McKibbin at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
The Sunshine Tour Rookie of the Year from the 2023-24 season, who is biding his time before taking up his membership of the DP World Tour in November this year, had a very consistent week with rounds of 69-69-67-67 to finish the 72 holes on eight-under-par, five shots off the winning total.
Ireland’s Conor Purcell claimed his maiden Challenge Tour title after an eagle on the 10th during an bogey-strewn final round helped him to a one-over 71 and a one-stroke win over 54-hole leader Joakim Lagergren of Sweden.
The 27-year-old climbs to fourth in the season-long Road to Mallorca rankings with a win and was delighted to come out on top after going shot-for-shot with Lagergren across the entirety of the weekend.
“I’m over the moon and kind of lost for words,” he said. “I’ve waited a long time for this and for it to happen, with all my family out here today, is just amazing.
“The support out there calmed me down. Knowing that they were all there to support me made a difference.
“Joakim is a fierce competitor and a proven winner, and he’s won here before, so I knew not to take him lightly. I’m just pleased because I putted terribly today but I managed to get the job done.”
Williams also made an eagle, with his coming on the final hole. He also carded three birdies and two bogeys as he climbed one spot in the Road to Mallorca rankings to seventh. That makes it very likely he will earn his DP World Tour card in a second way, as the top 20 at the end of the season gain that promotion.
Deon Germishuys had a two-under 68 to close, and he finished in a share of 25th on one-under. He slipped on place on the Rad to Mallorca rankings to 10th. Wilco Nienaber closed with a three-over 73 to slip to two-over for the tournament and a share of 38th. He needs a couple of good weeks to ensure he slips no further down the rankings than his current 20th.
