David Lipsky superbly sealed his second European Tour victory on his first visit to Leopard Creek Country Club with a two-stroke triumph at the Alfred Dunhill Championship which rocketed him to the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings.

The American, whose first victory came at the Omega European Masters in 2014 in his first season as an Affiliate Member, made himself right at home on his maiden appearance and opened up a six-shot lead at one point and led by four stood on the 16^th tee. The advantage was cut to one after a double-bogey but the 30 year old regained his composure to birdie the last and pick up the trophy in the final event of the 2018 calendar year.

“What a fantastic way to end the year at the stunning Leopard Creek Country Club,” said Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International Dubai Office. “We send our congratulations to David on his second European Tour title and look forward to welcoming players back from their winter break at the Abu Dhabi Championship presented by EGA, which is now a Rolex Series event.”

With victory in the band two tournament, Lipsky receives 460 Race to Dubai points to surge from 105^th to the summit of the Race to Dubai Rankings on 472.9 points after four events.

“It’s indescribable actually,” said Lipsky after receiving the trophy. “Winning is what we all hope to do, it’s what we practice for, it’s what we all put the time in for – the blood, sweat and tears.

“This was a tough year for me. I haven’t played that well and have really struggled. To cap it off with a win at the end of the year is so special and I’m really looking forward to big things in 2019.”

David Drysdale continued his strong start to the 2019 season as he finished two behind Lipsky to take second place thanks to three birdies in his final five holes. The Scot now has two top fives in last four events to leave him in third place on the Rankings with 426 points.

Meanwhile, Zander Lombard jumped from 52^nd to 11^th on the Rankings courtesy of a tied third place finish in South Africa. The 23 year old carded six birdies and an eagle to put himself in the hunt for the championship but a triple bogey on the 16^th knocked him out of contention for a first win on the European Tour.

English duo Ben Evans and Oliver Wilson continued to climb the Rankings after both men shared fifth place, six shots off the pace. Evans rises from 72^nd to 16^th on 129.3 points while Wilson moves up to tenth on 201.1 points.

The 2019 DP World Tour Championship takes place at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 November.