Donaldson gets Ryder berth with EPGA win

Jamie Donaldson will be making his Ryder Cup debut next month after winning the Czech Masters in Prague.

The 38-year-old Welshman required a top seven finish to make it on to Paul McGinley’s European team to face the United States at Gleneagles.

And the world No.29 did so in style on Sunday.

Lying two shots off leader and compatriot Bradley Dredge in a share of second overnight, he fired a final round four-under-par 68 for a 14-under total 274 to claim his third EPGA title.

Dredge came second for the second successive week, his fourth round 72 leaving him two shots away, with Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and South African Merrick Bremner in a share of third, a further shot adrift.

Compensation for Dredge for missing out on the win came in the knowledge that he had earned enough this season to regain the playing card he lost in 2012.

Donaldson rattled off three birdies on the opening holes to give him the lead with Dredge dropping a shot at the first.

A bogey at the fourth for Donaldson opened the door for Kjeldsen but he was back in front at the turn.

Another Ryder Cup hopeful, Stephen Gallacher, finished in a share of seventh after a 73 and is likely to need a good performance at next week’s Italian Open to sneak an automatic place via the world list.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!