Staff WriterThe Rolex Grand Final produced a masterclass in composure on Saturday, as England’s James Morrison carded a bogey-free 65 to storm three shots clear heading into the final round at Club de Golf Alcanada.
With his 13-year-old son Finley caddying by his side, the 40-year-old is on the brink of a fairytale return to the DP World Tour.
Morrison’s seven-under round took him to 13 under par, three clear of Scotland’s Euan Walker and South Africa’s Daniel van Tonder. The two-time DP World Tour winner began the day two off the pace but quickly seized control, rolling in birdies at the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 7th before turning in four under.
He kept the foot down on the back nine, adding gains at 13, 15, and 18 to set the clubhouse mark — and, barring disaster, one hand on a golden ticket back to golf’s top flight.
“I felt fine again today. It’s all about routine and sticking to what you’re doing every day and I’ve done that,” Morrison said. “Played great at the start of the round, a bit of a wonky middle patch, got lucky on ten but made a great four there… finished strongly, so very happy.”
Morrison, who has 438 DP World Tour starts under his belt, is projected to climb from 36th to 8th in the Road to Mallorca standings with victory. Only the top 20 after the Rolex Grand Final will earn full DP World Tour cards for 2026 — a feat Morrison has been chasing all season.
“To do it like that is very special,” he added. “I’ve still got one day to go. I could shoot 105 tomorrow, I could shoot 65 — I’m open to any of that. I’ll do the same thing tonight with the family and come to the course tomorrow and see what happens.”
After a slow start to the week on the greens, Morrison looks to have rediscovered his putting touch. “I didn’t quite get the speed of the greens at the start of the week but I’m feeling a bit more comfortable now. Putting is my strength… I held all of the right putts today, especially on the back nine.”
With a win, Morrison would become the seventh Englishman to lift the Rolex Grand Final trophy, joining Marco Penge (2023), Nathan Kimsey (2022), Matt Haines (2010), James Hepworth (2006), Richard Bland (2001), and Ian Garbutt (1996).
Just behind, Walker and van Tonder are keeping him honest. The Scot battled his way to stay in touch despite a tougher test on Saturday. “I’m relieved first and foremost,” Walker said. “It was a bit more demanding out there mentally… The opening holes set the tone for the round. You’ve got to control your emotions. The greens are really difficult to not make mistakes on.”
Van Tonder, meanwhile, remains bullish about his chances heading into Sunday. “I hit a few good tee shots, gave myself chances… These greens are sneaky fast, and you can three-putt quite quickly,” he said. “Usually when I tee it up, I just want to win. I like to chase, so when I’m a few shots behind, within five shots, I’m a little dangerous.”
Behind them, Englishman Joshua Berry and Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli share fourth on nine under, while Félix Mory, Albin Bergstrom, and JC Ritchie sit a shot further back.
Ritchie, already eyeing the season-long title, is projected to finish as HotelPlanner Tour Number One, which would make him the first South African ever to top the Rankings.
As for Morrison, there’s one more chapter left to write in Alcúdia. One good round away from sealing the dream — and perhaps, giving his son a moment neither of them will ever forget.
