COROWA golfer Marcus Fraser is on the edge of a start in the US Masters after a barnstorming finish in the $2.5 million Dubai Desert Classic.
Fraser, who carded opening rounds of 67, 69 and 69, fired a blistering 67 yesterday to share equal fifth position with Englishman Lee Westwood in the European Tour event.
The performance saw him pocket $93,000 and climb from 58th to 51st in the latest world rankings.
Fraser will return to Melbourne in coming days before attempting to break into the top 50 with strong showings in the World Match Play Championship in Arizona and the Cadillac Championship in Doral, Florida.
“I was 58th before this week so I’m trying to sneak into that all-important top 50,” Fraser said after carding three birdies and an eagle during his final round.
“I’m thereabouts.
“With the Match Play and Doral coming up, hopefully I can get some more points to bank.
“By the end of March hopefully I’m inside the top 50 for the Masters.
“That is everyone’s dream.”
Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher took out the Dubai Desert Classic after firing a timely eagle two on the par-4 16th hole to win by three shots from South African Richard Sterne.
Gallacher (71) finished with a 22-under total of 266 to take his second European Tour win and the first since 2004.
Fraser said his driving had been the secret to his consistent performance in the classic.
“I played great all week,” he said.
“I couldn’t have been happier with the way I hit the ball.
“I drove it as good as I ever have.
“I missed only nine or 10 fairways for the whole week which is a key around this course.
“To shoot five-under on the back nine today was great.
“It was good to get some much-needed world ranking points for everything that is coming up.
“I did all I could.
“You always want to make a few more putts, but I’m sure everyone is saying the same.”
