Murphy eases card worries

By Brian Keogh

Gary Murphy eased his tour card worries with a share of sixth place in the Russian Open.

The Kilkenny ace, 33, closed with a level par 72 in Moscow to finish 12 shots behind of Swede Per-Ulrik Johansson on 11 under.

A cheque for €43,965 helped Murphy jump to 88th in the Order of Merit as Johnasson ended his ten-year title drought.

The former Ryder Cup star closed with a 67 to finish six shots clear of Holland's Robert-Jan Derksen on 23 under par.

Johansson, 40, hadn't won an event since his European Open triumph at The K Club in 1997.

Playing on invites after losing his PGA Tour card, the Swede picked up €244,250 for his win and a two-year tour exemption.
He said: "I feel great. I haven’t won in ten years, since 1997. I have played some good golf since then but I haven’t played this well so I am very, very pleased."

Dubliner Peter Lawrie tied for 25th on seven under after a 72.