The best late moves in Grand Final history

Ahead of the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final we bring you five of the best late charges from years gone where rank outsiders sealed European Tour cards in the season-ending event.

<strong>2012: James Busby – 45^th to 16^th </strong>

In 2012 the top 20 players at the end of the Challenge Tour season graduated to the European Tour, and the most eye-catching move in the Rankings during the Grand Final came from James Busby.

With only the top 45 players featuring in the Grand Final, the Englishman was the last man in the field. After three successive missed cuts in his previous events, the odds were stacked against Busby making the top 20.

However, after rounds of 66-67-67-66, including four birdies on the back nine of his bogey-free final round, the Shropshire native leaped 29 places to secure his European Tour card for 2013.

Speaking at the time, Busby said: “I said to my girlfriend, who was caddying for me, that we’re just here to enjoy it and try to make a few quid. I’ve done that and come out with a European Tour card to boot. It’s the stuff of dreams really.”

<strong>2013: Jamie McLeary – 33^rd to 15^th </strong>

Jamie McLeary headed into the 2013 Grand Final knowing he needed to finish at least tied second with one other player to stand a chance of making the all-important top 15.

After three rounds, the Scot was tied third and in prime position to make a final surge from 33^rdand into the European Tour spots. He claimed the outright leader after 13 holes on the final day, having carded four birdies, but dropped a shot on the 15^thto move back to tied second.

With no room for error, McLeary parred the final three holes to take a share of second, resulting in 15^thplace in the Rankings and the last European Tour card going to the man from Aberdeen.

<strong>2014: Jérôme Lando Casanova </strong><strong>– 38^th to 13^th </strong>

Four years ago Jérôme Lando Casanova made a last gasp move to claim his European Tour card for the following season.

The Frenchman started the week in 38^thplace in the Rankings and shot an opening round of 78, six over par, to put a huge dent in his European Tour hopes. But he turned his week around with rounds of 66-68-69, including a birdie on his 72^ndhole, to take second place in Dubai and move to 13^thposition in the Rankings.

<strong>2015: Callum Shinkwin – 23^rd to 13^th </strong>

In 2015 Callum Shinkwin was eight places short of reaching the top 15 before the Grand Final but made up the places to seal his European Tour card.

Back-to-back rounds of 68 over the weekend, including four birdies in his final five holes during his third round, helped him to a share of third and saw he jump ten places up to 13^thin the Rankings and seal a debut campaign on Europe’s top tier.

<strong>2017: Scott Fernandez – 22^nd to 14^th </strong>

Last year Scott Fernandez made a dramatic final day climb up the Grand Final leaderboard to claim one of the last European Tour cards.

The Spaniard started the week outside of the top 15 and needed a strong finish to the season to secure a rookie campaign on the European Tour.

After rounds of 69-69-68, Fernandez made the turn in 33 and was on course to claim a European Tour card on the final day. A bogey at 11 and 17, either side of a birdie at the 14^thleft him needing a par at the last to achieve his dream

Fernandez obliged by narrowly missing a birdie putt on his 72^ndhole, leaving him with the luxury of tapping in for 14^thplace in the Rankings and a European Tour card.