CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland – David Lipsky won the European Masters on Sunday to put himself atop the Asian Tour money list.

Lipsky’s unorthodox par-4 on the first extra hole to beat Englishman Graeme Storm was an appropriate way for the 26-year-old Korean speaker from Los Angeles to earn a career-best (EURO)383,330 ($497,000) payday in the sunbathed Swiss Alps.

With the event co-sanctioned by the European and Asian tours since 2008, the winner’s prize lifted Lipsky clear in the money list.

“It feels great,” said Lipsky, the first winner here from Asia’s tour and the first American winner since Craig Stadler in 1985. “I’ve played well the last couple of weeks and to put it all together is really something special.”

His difficult route to the 18th green went via a fairway bunker and thick rough well short of the putting surface. An exceptional chip shot left a 2-foot putt for victory.

That strategy came after Storm, the overnight leader, sliced his tee shot wide right and could only chip out sideways before making a bogey-5.

“I was just playing percentages,” said Lipsky of his cautious second shot. “I didn’t mean to hit it in the rough. I overshot my mark by a little bit.”

Still, Lipsky had already played the 18th perfectly in regulation to earn the playoff chance.

His wedge approach shot left a tap-in to complete a final-round 65, playing in the second-last group.

Storm missed a 30-foot putt for victory on the final hole and carded 68. Both had 18-under totals of 262 on the 6,848-yard (6,262-meter) Severiano Ballesteros course

Ballesteros would surely have approved of Lipsky’s adventurous 65 that included an eagle-2, six birdies and three bogeys, with a couple of 3-putts thrown in the mix.

Lipsky has taken a path less traveled in his own career, via Northwestern University, Illinois, to the Asian tour where he first won in 2012 in the Cambodian Classic.

“I have a little bit of east meets west,” said Lipsky, whose father is American and mother is from Seoul, South Korea. “I speak a little bit of Korean. It definitely helped the transition to Asia and made me feel comfortable.”

His $645,770 winnings this season are more than double those of the next player on the Asian Tour money list – Anirban Lahiri of India, who tied for 13th, seven shots back.

Victory also took Lipsky into the top 150 of the world rankings, from No. 369, and earned a European Tour exemption through 2016.

“It has really developed me as a player,” Lipsky said of the Asian circuit. “Now, with European Tour status, I’ll have to think about different scheduling.”

Another young American, Brooks Koepka, and Tyrrell Hatton of England tied for third trailing by one shot after shooting 67 and 65, respectively.

The 24-year-old Koepka, who plays on the European Tour, shared the lead until making bogey-5 at the 17th, after his tee shot found a bunker.

On another low-scoring day in the thin mountain air, a 67 from European Ryder Cup player Jamie Donaldson of Wales was only enough to place seventh, three shots back.

Two other members of Europe’s team to face the United States at Gleneagles, Scotland, were never in contention Sunday. Victor Dubuisson of France shot 72 to finish 10 shots back, and defending champion Thomas Bjorn of Denmark had a 68 to be 12 shots out.

Frenchman Romain Wattel had a hole-in-one at the 11th, one day after Storm claimed the $186,000 hybrid sports car on offer there.

Storm, seeking his first victory since 2007, stayed in front alone until the seventh hole when briefly caught in a three-way tie at 17 under with Lipsky and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, playing in the final group with Storm and Koepka.

Koepka made his move around the turn, easily making birdie at the 633-yard (579-meter) ninth, then picking up another shot on the 10th.

A shootout between Koepka and Storm loomed when both made birdie-4s at the 16th, but the American faltered at the next hole and Lipsky’s exceptional birdie on the last forced the playoff.

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland – Graeme Storm of England fired a hole-in-one in his third round 6-under 64 to lead the European Masters on Saturday.

Storm’s 16-under total of 194 was one stroke clear of Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, who shot 63 on the sunbathed, 6,848-yard Severiano Ballesteros course.

Using a 6-iron, Storm aced the 217-yard par-3 11th to win a hybrid sports car valued at $186,000.

Storm, who is 159th in the European Tour money list, currently does not own a car and earned a more modest prize for his previous hole-in-one in March at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco.

“There is a big difference between a lamp and a car like that,” said the 36-year-old Storm, whose only career win was seven years ago.

Brooks Koepka of the United States trailed Storm by two after making double-bogey on the par-4 18th, his only dropped shots in a 66.

Another American, David Lipsky, shot 66 to be three strokes off the lead in fourth.

Ryder Cup rookie Jamie Donaldson of Wales was a further stroke back, losing the lead after triple- and double-bogeys on par-4s coming home.

“A couple of bad shots cost me really,” said Donaldson, noting that a four-shot deficit can be quickly made up in thin Swiss Alps air. “Definitely. I haven’t really had a really low (round) yet.”

Joining Donaldson on 12 under were overnight leader Richie Ramsay of Scotland and Tyrrell Hatton of England.

Ramsay, the 2012 champion, shot a level-par 70 after bogeying three of the first four holes, and Hatton had two eagle-3s in his 5-under 65.

Donaldson’s Ryder Cup teammates, Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, both shot 68s to sit six and 12 shots back, respectively.

Dubuisson is among four players on 10 under, including Italian Marco Crespi whose bogey-free 62 tied for lowest score of the day.

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland – Richie Ramsay shot a 4-under 66 Friday to lead Ryder Cup rookie Jamie Donaldson by one stroke in the second round of the European Masters.

The 2012 champion from Scotland had a 12-under total of 128 after starting in morning rain on the 6,848-yard (6,262-meter) Severiano Ballesteros course in the Swiss Alps.

Donaldson had seven birdies and a bogey in his afternoon 64, putting the 38-year-old Welshman in good position to follow up his win at the Czech Masters two weeks ago.

American Brooks Koepka shot a second straight 65 and was joined on 10 under by Graeme Storm of England.

Another American, David Lipsky, had a 64 to sit a further shot back.

Victor Dubuisson of France, the other Ryder Cup debutant in the lineup, carded a 67 to head a group of players on 8 under.

Edoardo Molinari of Italy, who shared the overnight lead with Ramsay, only managed a 70 to join Dubuisson and three others, including Scot Marc Warren whose 63 was the lowest score of the day despite a pair of bogeys early in his round.

The third member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team playing here, Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, dropped 10 shots off the lead.

Bjorn, the European Masters champion in 2011 and last year, carded a 72 after his 66 Thursday.

The cut was made at 1 under, leaving 2010 winner Miguel Angel Jimenez out of the weekend action after a second straight 70.

Jimenez can still stick around to watch the Ryder Cup trio, as he is one of Europe’s five vice-captains for the Sept. 26-28 match against the United States at Gleneagles, Scotland.

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland – Richie Ramsay shot a 4-under 66 Friday to lead Ryder Cup rookie Jamie Donaldson by one stroke in the second round of the European Masters.

The 2012 champion from Scotland had a 12-under total of 128 after starting in morning rain on the 6,848-yard (6,262-meter) Severiano Ballesteros course in the Swiss Alps.

Donaldson had seven birdies and a bogey in his afternoon 64, putting the 38-year-old Welshman in good position to follow up his win at the Czech Masters two weeks ago.

American Brooks Koepka shot a second straight 65 and was joined on 10 under by Graeme Storm of England.

Another American, David Lipsky, had a 64 to sit a further shot back.

Victor Dubuisson of France, the other Ryder Cup debutant in the lineup, carded a 67 to head a group of players on 8 under.

Edoardo Molinari of Italy, who shared the overnight lead with Ramsay, only managed a 70 to join Dubuisson and three others, including Scot Marc Warren whose 63 was the lowest score of the day despite a pair of bogeys early in his round.

The third member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team playing here, Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, dropped 10 shots off the lead.

Bjorn, the European Masters champion in 2011 and last year, carded a 72 after his 66 Thursday.

The cut was made at 1 under, leaving 2010 winner Miguel Angel Jimenez out of the weekend action after a second straight 70.

Jimenez can still stick around to watch the Ryder Cup trio, as he is one of Europe’s five vice-captains for the Sept. 26-28 match against the United States at Gleneagles, Scotland.

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland – Richie Ramsay of Scotland and Edoardo Molinari of Italy each shot 8-under 62 to lead after the European Masters first round on Thursday.

Both carded bogey-free rounds in the thin Swiss Alps air to finish two strokes ahead of Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Graeme Storm, and Gareth Maybin of Northern Ireland.

Ryder Cup teammates Jamie Donaldson of Wales and Victor Dubuisson of France were in a group of seven players a further shot back on 5 under.

Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, the third member of Europe’s team playing here who will face the United States in Scotland this month, was among 15 players shooting 4-under 66 on the 6,848-yard (6,262-meter) Severiano Ballesteros course.

Bjorn won two of the past three European Masters titles, and Ramsay was champion in 2012.

Ramsay eagled the par-5 first and birdied the next two holes before reaching the turn in 31 shots.

The Scot carded three more birdies spanning the 12th to 15th. He needed to birdie his last three holes to achieve a tour-record 59.

“On the 16th, I thought that if I could make my birdie putt I’d have a good chance,” Ramsay said. “But once I missed the putt, I obviously knew the game was up.”

Molinari also picked up five shots on the front nine holes, all birdies, and three more on the back nine.

Dubuisson, the world No. 21, is the highest-ranked player in the event co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Like the Frenchman, Donaldson will be a Ryder Cup rookie. He is seeking his second straight victory after winning the Czech Masters two weeks ago.

It was an accomplishment that probably should be heralded as one of the greatest in the history of Canadian golf. Instead it is barely remembered.

It was 30 years ago, September 2 to be exact, that Jerry Anderson a Montreal native and Cambridge, Ont. resident became the first, and some would argue the only Canadian to win an event on the European Tour.

And he did it in spectacular style. Against a field that included Americans Payne Stewart and Hubert Green and every top player in Europe except Seve Ballesteros, Anderson won the 1984 Ebel European Masters Swiss Open the second biggest event on the European Tour behind only The Open Championship.

He fired rounds of 63-66-66-66 on the Golf-Club Crans-sur-Sierre at Crans-Montana in Valais Switzerland, where the event is still held, to beat Howard Clark by five strokes.

His 27-under-par was a European Tour record that stood for 19 years until Ernie Els finally beat it.

“Personally, that was one of my most remarkable achievements, not only winning the event but against the best Europe had to offer with the exception of Seve,” says Anderson who turns 59 later this month.

“I played with Hubie Green and Sandy Lyle on Saturday and with Jose Maria Canizares on Sunday in the last group.”

Anderson had a remarkable career that included multiple wins on the Canadian Tour (the forerunner to PGA Tour Canada). He captured the Quebec and Saskatchewan Opens twice, the Ontario Open, the Manitoba Open, the Canadian Professional Golfers Association Championship (now PGA of Canada Championship), the Windsor Charity Classic and the Canadian Tour Championship. He won on the Hogan Tour (now The Web.Com Tour) and came close to winning in Asia and Africa.

“The players I looked up to were guys like Graham Marsh and Gary Player, the international players that were able to take their game throughout Europe and Australia and Asia,” said Anderson. “That concept of golfer appealed to me more than the one-tour type.

“And I’m a little surprised that the emphasis for young golfers is still so pointed toward the U.S. I had a chance to see the planet and play golf everywhere and enjoy the experience of what the planet has to offer. There’s opportunities out there.”

For much of the 1980s Anderson played in Europe.

Obviously his win in the European Masters was the highlight of his career but for a four-week period in August and early September 1984 Anderson may well have been the hottest golfer on the planet.

“Four weeks before the win I had finished ninth in the Irish Open at Royal Dublin despite a double bogey on the last hole,” said Anderson. “I think the double bogey left me eight strokes behind Bernard Langer.

“The following week in York, England (Benson & Hedges International Open) I birdied the last hole to finish sixth. At that point I was something like 27-under for those two events.”

Those two tournaments set the stage for the (Lufthansa) German Open in Frankfurt.

“I played with Bernard Langer in the third last group and shot 63 on the Sunday,” says Anderson. “I was with Renton Laidlaw and some of the other European Tour reporters and they were getting ready to crack open a bottle of champagne for my first win when Wayne Grady finished birdie-birdie-eagle-par to beat me by one.

“I ended up shooting 17-under at that event and finished second.”

After closing with a 63 in Germany, Anderson opened with a 63 the following week in Switzerland and he thinks that might still be a European Tour record.

This time he would get to uncork the bubbly. Tied with Clark after the first round he led by three after two and four after three.

“I putted the lights out during that streak,” Anderson recalls. “I holed out a couple of times from the fairway and my driving was so good that I was just never in any trouble.”

Until that magic month Anderson said the season had not been going well.

“Whatever I earned in Ireland double the money I had won to that point,” he said. “I basically kept doubling my money every week over a four-week time frame.”

For winning in Switzerland he took home $25,000 pounds which at the time converted to about $48,000 Canadian dollars.

Anderson had success on virtually every tour but the PGA Tour. He played two seasons on golf’s biggest stage, 1990 and 1992 but couldn’t recreate the success he’d had on other circuits.

“It wasn’t for lack of trying,” he says.

The end of Anderson’s competitive career came in the fall of 1994.

Seeing the world and playing golf in remote locations that he had loved so much early in his career suddenly became a grind. His wife Barbara, who had travelled with him during his European Tour days, was home in Cambridge with their young children Chrysse and Luke.

“I had been in South America for 25 days,” he recalls. “I shot 77 in the first round of the Ecuador Open. I went to the tournament organizers and withdrew and caught the next flight home.”

He’s played hardly any competitive golf since, other than the odd one-day pro-am.

Anderson’s time these days is taken up at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club where’s been the teaching professional for the last three years.

He was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in 2002. He’s not, however, in the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame nor was he included in the PGA of Canada’s inaugural Hall of Fame class this past January. Although in fairness to the PGA of Canada their inaugural class was made up entirely of PGA of Canada members who were already in the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Anderson says he’s always believed he didn’t get as much recognition here in Canada for his win in Switzerland because the European Tour itself didn’t get much publicity on this side of the pond back then.

“Don’t forget that was before Europe started dominating the Ryder Cup,” he says.

“But I still get a kick out of watching a European Tour event on the Golf Channel and hearing the commentators mention my name and the record and wondering what I’m doing these days.”

VIRGINIA WATER, England – European captain Paul McGinley chose Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher as his wild-card selections Tuesday for the Ryder Cup – leaving former No. 1 Luke Donald off the team.

Donald has been on the winning side in each of his four Ryder Cup appearances but has struggled for form this year after making changes to his swing.

“He wasn’t expecting it – he was very disappointed,” McGinley said after announcing his picks at European Tour headquarters at Wentworth.

Gallacher will be one of three rookies in the 12-man European team that will face the United States at Gleneagles, Scotland, from Sept. 26-28, along with Victor Dubuisson and Jamie Donaldson.

The other players who qualified automatically for McGinley’s team were Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Thomas Bjorn and Graeme McDowell.

Europe will be defending the trophy after its 14 1/2-13 1/2 win over the U.S. at Medinah in 2012. U.S. captain Tom Watson will announce his picks later Tuesday.

Gallacher, a Scot, narrowly missed out on automatic selection after finishing third at the Italian Open on Sunday. A top-two finish would have seen him oust McDowell as the final qualifier.

But it was Gallacher’s eighth top-10 finish in 2014, leaving him as the form player of the four in contention. He lives only 35 miles (56 kms) from Gleneagles and has played well on the course in recent years, losing out in a three-man playoff at the Johnnie Walker Championship in 2013.

“His first words were: `That’s brilliant, wee man,'” McGinley said when asked what Gallacher’s reaction was to his selection. “Of course it’s a concern to me that he’s a rookie, and it’s very difficult to pick a rookie for a Ryder Cup. But I’ve said all along from day one, I’m not afraid to pick a rookie if he proves himself.

“And there’s no doubt Stevie Gallacher has proved himself and earned his spot on this team.”

Gallacher’s uncle, Bernard, captained Europe in the Ryder Cup in 1991, ’93 and ’95.

Poulter, Westwood and Donald have been stalwarts for Europe over the past decade, helping the team win five of the last six cups, but haven’t been in top form this year.

Poulter was unlikely to be left out as he usually saves his best performances for the Ryder Cup. He has 12 wins from 15 matches, and is on a seven-match winning streak – the last four coming at the “Miracle in Medinah” when Europe came from 10-6 down on the final day to retain the cup.

“Ian Poulter is a bundle of energy whenever you speak to him. You could feel the energy coming down the phone,” McGinley said.

Westwood will be playing in his ninth straight Ryder Cup, with his accuracy from tee to green likely counting in his favor. He has played well below his best for much of 2014 but won the Malaysian Open in April and responded to calls from McGinley to show some form by shooting a final-round 63 at the Bridgestone Invitational last month before finishing tied for 15th at the PGA Championship.

Donald has one of the best short games in the world and is a brilliant putter, making him a key player in Europe’s wins in 2004, `06, `10 and `12.

His second place showing at the RBC Heritage in April was his last top-30 finish on the PGA Tour, and he isn’t close to regaining the form that took him to No. 1 and made him the money-winner on both sides of the Atlantic in 2011.

“That was a very difficult conversation – my relationship with him is very close,” said McGinley, who was Donald’s partner for the Englishman’s first Ryder Cup match.

“He was very, very disappointed and rightly so. He is a former world No. 1, his record in the Ryder Cup stands with anybody in the game. He said, `You know, Paul, I publicly backed you to be the captain. Even though you haven’t picked me, I still believe you’ll be a great captain.’ His last two words were `Go Europe.’ That says a lot about him.”

When three of Europe’s biggest names failed to automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup team, the equation appeared simple for captain Paul McGinley as he prepared to select his three wild cards.

Stephen Gallacher didn’t read the script.

A slew of top-10 finishes this year may have helped the 39-year-old Scotsman lock down a wild-card selection for a Ryder Cup debut in his home country, leaving Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter competing for two spots when McGinley announces his picks at the European Tour headquarters at Wentworth on Tuesday.

The other player in contention to play the United States at Gleneagles is Francesco Molinari of Italy.

The three chosen will join a team already packed with talent, including four of the top five in the world – Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia.

Westwood, Donald and Poulter have made up the backbone of Europe’s dominance of the event since 2002 but have struggled for form this year.

Not Gallacher.

He came up just short in his attempt to snatch the final automatic qualifying place from Graeme McDowell, finishing third in the Italian Open on Sunday when a top-two spot would have seen him make the team.

McGinley was in Turin to see Gallacher’s last-gasp push – the Scotsman finished 65-69-65 – and was impressed.

“His performance this week will very strongly be in his favor when it comes to making the picks,” McGinley said Sunday.

“This has been the toughest ever Ryder Cup team to make from a European point of view, in terms of points you need to amass to make the team, so he has been up against it,” McKinley added. “And for a rank and file guy from the European Tour, who doesn’t play in America and misses out on a lot of the ranking points as a result, to perform as well as he does is all credit to him.”

Gallacher is the form player of the five seemingly in contention, with eight top-10 finishes in 2014 including a win at the Dubai Desert Classic. He also showed his liking for Gleneagles by making a three-man playoff in a European Tour event at the course last year. The case for his inclusion is hard to resist.

Poulter will be difficult to leave out considering he usually saves his best performances for the Ryder Cup. He has 12 wins from 15 matches, and is on a seven-match winning streak – the last four coming at the “Miracle in Medinah” in 2012 when Europe came from 10-6 down on the final day to retain the cup.

Poulter sparked the recovery with a run of five straight birdies in the final fourballs match on Saturday to earn Europe a morale-boosting point. He needed a wild card from Jose Maria Olazabal two years ago and should get another one for Gleneagles.

Like Poulter, Donald – a former No. 1 and money-winner on both sides of the Atlantic in 2011 – is struggling for form on the PGA Tour as he comes to terms with changes to his swing. His second place at the RBC Heritage in April was his last finish in the top 30 on the tour.

But can McGinley overlook Donald’s brilliant short game and putting, as well as a record of 10 wins from 15 Ryder Cup matches? Donald has played in four cups – 2004, `06, `10 and ’12 – and Europe has won them all.

Westwood has played in the last eight Ryder Cups but also is far from his best at the moment.

He responded to calls from McGinley to show some form by shooting a final-round 63 at the Bridgestone Invitational last month before finishing tied for 15th at the PGA Championship the following week, but his Ryder Cup record isn’t as strong as Poulter’s or Donald’s and his short game isn’t as good.

“My selections won’t be a surprise,” McGinley said at the Italian Open. “It won’t be coming out of left field. I will be going by logic.”

McGinley will sit down with vice captains Des Smyth and Sam Torrance for one last time Monday to go over the players in contention.

Europe has won five of the last six Ryder Cups, and seven of the last nine stretching back to 1995.

TURIN, Italy – Hennie Otto of South Africa held on to claim a second Italian Open victory by two shots on Sunday, while Stephen Gallacher came up just short of an automatic Ryder Cup spot after finishing third.

Otto, who won the event in 2008, shot a 4-under 68 to finish with a 20-under total of 268 and hold off David Howell, who surged up the leaderboard with a 63 to finish second. Howell opened with an eagle and added seven birdies to beat Gallacher (65) by one shot. Gallacher needed a top-two finish to dislodge former U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell from the automatic Ryder Cup places for Europe’s team.

It was only the 38-year-old’s Otto’s second tournament since his recovery from two back operations.

“I was playing well before the injury but it is a surprise to win so soon,” Otto said. “Golf is not perfect and to come back after the operations and win in my second week, I will take that any day.

“Today wasn’t easy because the guys played so well with some of them trying to get The Ryder Cup spots. I really hope Stevie makes it – he deserves it and has proved himself this week.”

Gallacher will now have to wait until Tuesday, when European captain Paul McGinley announces his three wild cards.

“It was a tall order but I am proud of myself the way I have played,” Gallacher said. “I’m delighted with 17 under, it looks just a little short but there is nothing I can do. … There are four or five guys that are worthy (of a wild card) so it’s just what Paul sees.”

TURIN, Italy – Hennie Otto of South Africa shot a 1-under 71 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Italian Open, where Stephen Gallacher’s late bid to qualify for the Ryder Cup will go down to the wire.

Otto, who won this event in 2008, began the day with a three-shot lead but struggled at times, carding two bogeys and a double bogey as well as five birdies.

It is only the 38-year-old’s Otto’s second tournament since his recovery from two back operations.

“It was a rough day to be honest,” Otto said. “My back started to tighten after eight holes but I managed to get it round even though I couldn’t swing it properly. I got a little lucky at times as well but you need that in this game if you are going to win a tournament.”

Gallacher produced four birdies and one bogey in a round of 69 to move to within six shots of the lead and four behind compatriot Richie Ramsay (66) in second place.

Gallacher is the only man still capable of moving into the automatic Ryder Cup places in the final qualifying event, with a top-two finish enough to dislodge former U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell from Europe’s team.

“It keeps me in touching distance,” Gallacher said. “The worst thing I could have done was open up a big gap which was insurmountable. I’ve not done that so a good day on Sunday and I am still right in there. I had about four lip-outs today but they went in on Friday and I holed a couple of good putts at the end so it evens itself out.

“It’s all to play for. You never know what happens in this game and guys have won from further back than this. I’ll just go out and try and get as many birdies as possible and see what happens. This is the only time in my career that I would be happy not to win a golf tournament. Second will do me fine on Sunday.”

Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger slipped to third after following consecutive rounds of 66 with a 71. Lee Slattery and Ross Fisher were fourth, five shots behind Otto.