Richard Mansell collected his first title on the DP World Tour by securing a one-shot victory at the weather-affected Singapore Classic.
The 29-year-old Englishman, who made his 103rd appearance on the DP World Tour, came into the final round a shot off leader Dan Erickson after the tournament was reduced to 54 holes due to severe rainfall on Thursday. Mansell holed five consecutive birdies after the fourth to enter the lead with a two-shot gap but found his advantage vanish after strong pressure from Japan’s Keita Nakajima who produced a sublime 7-under 65 in the final round with both going the 18th level.
But Mansell held his nerve by two-putting from long range to card a final-round 66 and finish on 16 under to end his winless drought on the DP World Tour.
“What a feeling,” Mansell said following his triumph. “First week with a new caddie [David Kenny] so that was a good start and a couple of times he got me to slow down.
“It makes those near misses and when I’ve got ahead of myself in the past just kind of worth it and it just means that much more.
“In 2022 I had quite a few close calls and didn’t get it done. Looking back on it I probably should’ve kept doing what I was doing and it probably would’ve happened a lot sooner.
“But I went searching, I tried to change and I became quite good at pointing the finger, blaming other people why it hadn’t happened.
“I started just not enjoying it as much and I just got a little bit lost from where I’d actually come from. Ellie, my wife, has been so supportive.
“It’s taken a lot of work these past six months. I’ve just had to stay patient and forget everyone else and that was my main thing today, to focus on myself.
“Luckily I had an opportunity on the last hole to hole a putt for the win and I managed to do it.
“It’s amazing. I’ve just been on the phone to my mum and dad and Ellie’s parents. So many people have supported me and believed in me when I stopped doing it myself.
“One thing I’d say to people trying to do it as a career, that moment’s the most fulfilling thing in the world and it’s worth it. So stick in and hopefully you’ll get rewarded one day like I have today.”
Fellow Englishman Tom McKibbin and France’s Adriend Saddier completed the top three with both ending the tournament on 14 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the SP World Tour is the Hero Indian Open taking place between 27-30 March at DLF Golf & Country Club in New Delhi.