James Morrison secured a fairytale return to the DP World Tour thanks to a three-shot victory at the Rolex Grand Final supported by The R&A.
The 40-year-old Englishman, who later admitted he was set to hang up his clubs following the conclusion of the tournament, came into the final round at Club de Golf Alcanda with a three-shot advantage and remained at the summit through the front nine. He saw his lead extended with three birdies in four holes during the back nine and although he bogeyed the last, he had enough of a gap over the chasing pack to cruise to victory, carding a 2-under 70 and finish on 18 under, three shots clear of Italian Stefano Mazzoli.
The result meant he climbed 30 places on the Road to Mallorca Rankings to end the HotelPlanner Tour season in sixth to secure himself a spot on the DP World Tour for the 2026 season.
There were wholesome scenes at the 18th which saw his 13-year-old son, Finley, who caddied for him throughout the tournament, celebrate the triumph with his father.
“When I said this was going to be my last event, it really was going to be 100 percent,” Morrison said. “This has completely messed that up.
“I’m glad it’s over with. I played nicely all week. Didn’t play as well today but managed my emotions and dug into my memory bank with my wins on the DP World Tour.
“The wind blowing really helped me today because I knew, the harder it got, the more it would play into my hands a little bit. I knew if I could keep ticking along, I could get away from the field a bit.
“I stayed calm and stayed with it. I couldn’t feel my arms on my swing at the last, it went so far right, but I couldn’t care less. A win is a win.”
Morrison becomes the seventh Englishman to win the event following Marco Penge (2023), Nathan Kimsey (2022), Matt Haines (2010), James Hepworth (2006), Richard Bland (2001), and Ian Garbutt (1996).
South Africa’s JC Ritchie clinched the season-long title, topping the Road to Mallorca Rankings.