Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa secured his spot at the DP World Tour Play-Offs after winning the Genesis Championship at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in South Korea.
The 28-year-old carded a level par round of 71 to finish on 13 under and claim his second victory, two-and- a-half years after his first at the ISPS HANDA Championship.
Katsuragawa carded just one birdie in his final round, at the fourth, but 16 pars and a closing bogey meant he finished two ahead of French duo Frederic Lacroix and Martin Couvra on 11 under, who also sealed their places in the Play-Offs with a share of second.
Katsuragawa, who entered the week in 106th place on the Race to Dubai Rankings and fighting to keep his playing privileges for the 2027 season, catapulted himself to 28th courtesy of his triumph and guaranteed his spot in the two Rolex Series events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Speaking after lifting the trophy, Katsuragawa said: “After the first win I had such a hard time, but having the second win is definitely the greatest moment of my career. I was nervous, not just about winning, but also about my DP World Tour ranking, so it was double pressure for me, but I think I got through.”
Crocker seals card with back-nine charge
Meanwhile at the other end of the leaderboard, American Sean Crocker was among the many players on the bubble who was aiming to finish in the top 100 on the Race to Dubai Rankings delivered by DP World during the final event of the regular season.
The American was three over through his first nine holes on day four, putting his Category Ten status on the DP World Tour for 2027 in doubt, before a sensational back nine 29 saw him sign for a three under 68 and claim the coveted 100th spot on the rankings.
“That was probably one of the better back nines I’ve ever played under the circumstances, with everything going on there, it was pretty good,” Crocker said. “I just really wanted to give it every chance.”
He added: “It’s not easy being on the bubble and facing losing your playing rights, so I was just thinking of my family’s future and what it means for us all for me to be able to carry on playing out here.”
Pepperell misses out
Crocker’s back-nine heroics saw Eddie Pepperell drop into the dreaded 101st spot, leaving the 35-year-old Englishman – who did not compete at the Genesis Championship despite having qualified to play in it – with a decision as whether to stick with the Category 18 status offered to those finishing 101-110 on the ranking, which will guarantee a limited number of DP World Tour starts next year, or return to Qualifying School and earn one of the 15 full tour cards that are on offer there.
For all the scores from the Genesis Championship, click here.