Dale Whitnell ends 14-year wait for top-tier win

Essex’s Dale Whitnell held his nerve to claim his first DP World Tour win after a dramatic final day of the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed at Ullna Golf & Country Club in Sweden.

Whitnell set the tone for his week with a closing 96-yard hole-out eagle on day one and carried that momentum into a second-round 61 that handed him a six-shot lead at the halfway stage. That advantage was cut to two with two to play as American Sean Crocker put the pressure on with a closing 65, but Whitnell birdied the 17th to give himself some breathing room and signed for a 70 and a three-shot win at 21 under.

Anne van Dam was the leading women’s player at 15 under after a 69, alongside Yannik Paul who carded a closing 72, but the headlines belonged to Whitnell, who completed his long journey to the winner’s circle 14 years after turning professional.

The 34-year-old from Colchester played in the Walker Cup alongside Tommy Fleetwood in 2009, but had a spell as a courier as he played on satellite tours before winning the KPMG Trophy in his first season on the Challenge Tour tin 2019. That was the same year he earned his DP World Tour card at the Qualifying School and now, with three top-10s already in 2023, he is a winner in his 106th start and moves into the top 20 on the Race to Dubai ranking.

Whitnell, who earned a €315,000 pay day for the win, said: “It’s awesome. It really tested me out there. I was trying to play like I didn’t have a lead and just play my own game. And I did that. I hit a couple of poor shots at the wrong time, but I managed to limit the damage, and that is why I am standing here with the trophy,

He’d added: “It’s been a long road for me, I’ve got so many people to thank: my fiancée Angie, my caddie Gaz [Melia], my coach Craig [Lockwood], who I didn’t know flew out today, my mum and dad, Callaway, Travis Mathew, all my friends and family. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m ecstatic. It means everything to me, it’s what I get up every day for. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.”

Dutchwoman Van Dam had carded an excellent 63 – the lowest women’s score in the history of the innovative event which sees 78 men and 78 women play the same course for the same prize – on day three, and she carried that momentum into Sunday, carding five birdies and two bogeys in a 69.

Paul made one birdie and one bogey in his round which left the German at 15 under, a shot ahead of English pair Gabriella Cowley and Paul Waring, Dane Søren Kjeldsen and Scot Richie Ramsay. Alexander Björk led the home charge at 13 under, one shot clear of amateur Hugo Townsend and two ahead of Alex Noren and top Swedish woman Madelene Sagström.

For the final scores from the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed, click here.

Dale Whitnell WITB
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (10.5°)
Woods: Callaway Rogue ST LS (15°)
Hybrids: Callaway Apex UW (19°, 23°)
Irons: Callaway X Forged (5-PW)
Wedges: Callaway MD Forged (50°, 54°, 58°)
Putter: Odyssey Exo 2-Ball
Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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