CHRIS DOAK is facing a mammoth trek to Australia as his battle to safeguard his European Tour card looks set to go to the wire.

The Glasgow-born golfer shared 20th spot in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews yesterday after a closing level-par 72 left him with a 16-under 272, seven behind eventual winner David Howell.

Doak, who had been sitting in a tie for ninth heading into the final round, picked up a cheque for £34,091 to move up to 112th on the money list, with the top 110 at the end of the year keeping their cards.

The former Scottish PGA champ will compete in the Portugal Masters next week and, barring a big finish there, he will have to make the journey Down Under for the Perth International, the final regular event on the European Tour.

Doak said: "Nothing against Australia, but I don't want to be going all the way down there.

"I expected to have it (the tour card) all done by the end of this week. Now I'm going to have to book a flight."

Glasgow ace Scott Jamieson finished as the top Scot in a tie for 17th after a 68 left him with a 17-under 271.

It was the 29-year-old's first top-20 on the tour since he had a similar result in March's Malaysian Open and the former Scottish Boys' Strokeplay champ will now head to this week's Seve Trophy match in upbeat mood.

Marc Warren slipped to a closing 74 and finished in a share of 35th on 276.

At the head of affairs, Englishman Howell beat American Peter Uihlein with a birdie on the second play-off hole after both players had finished locked on 23-under 265s.

It was the former Ryder Cup star's first win in seven years as he completed his comeback from injury and personal problems.

"It's been a long, long road from the depths of despair," he said.