ISPS Handa World Invitational presented by Aviv Clinics – Day four digest 

Everything you need to know from day four in Northern Ireland.

Ewen Ferguson completed a wire-to-wire victory to land his second Tour title, Maja Stark broke the course record to win, Connor Syme made it back-to-back runner-up finishes, amateur Filippo Celli registered his first top-ten finish and fellow Italian Renato Paratore continued his upturn in form on the final day of the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational presented by Aviv Clinics. 

The event was tri-sanctioned by the DP World Tour, Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour, with the men and women competing in separate tournaments with equal prize funds of US$1.5 million. Both fields return to Galgorm Castle Golf Club over the weekend having also played at Massereene once over the first two days. 

Here is everything you need to know from Sunday at Galgorm Castle.

Ferguson becomes a two-time winner

Ewen Ferguson added another fantastic chapter to his rookie season on the DP World Tour as he held his nerve on the back nine to win his second title in his 50th appearance, following his maiden triumph at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in March.

The Scot, playing in the final group along with his good friend Connor Syme, carded three birdies and two bogeys in a closing one-under 69 to reach 12 under par for the tournament and claim a three-shot margin of victory.

Holding a three-shot lead overnight, the 26-year-old found himself level with England’s Richard Mansell at the turn, but he regained the advantage with a birdie at the tenth and then parred every hole that followed with Spaniard Borja Virto and Syme in joint second. The victory lifted Ferguson to 17th in the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and is set to ensure he will be in the field for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai come November.

“I just can't believe how calm I was out there,” said Ferguson, who began the week with a course-record 61. “It couldn't have worked out any better playing with Connor. I felt although I played with him the first two days and he was playing so, so good, and I felt he was my main rival for the day, so managing to play with him and hold each other off and keep up with each other was so good. Just can't believe I'm a winner again."

Stark wins in style and earns LPGA Tour membership

Already leading the season-long Race to Costa del Sol competition on the Ladies European Tour, Maja Stark reaffirmed her status as the stand-out player of the future, producing a flawless closing round of 63 to set a new course record and win for the third time this season.

The 22-year-old Swede, who started the day two shots off the lead, seized control with a 31 on the front nine and finished five shots ahead of second place. Victory also saw her add a maiden LPGA Tour title to her growing resume in just her second season as a professional as she earned LPGA Tour membership in the process.

“It means the world,” Stark said. “[LPGA Tour membership] was all I came here for. I just wanted that winner’s category. I was so nervous. I hate qualifying so it’s great that I don’t have to do that again.”

Stark’s talent on display even when things don’t go to plan

Some do a club twirl, while Stark does a no-look catch for fun when her swing doesn’t meet her high standards.

Syme makes it another successful week

Fresh from his best result on Tour at the Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale in Wales last week, Connor Syme birdied three of his final four holes to register another runner-up finish – this time shared alongside Virto.

The breakthrough Tour win might still elude the Scot but based on current form he will soon be emulating Ferguson. The 27-year-old was one of only two players in the men’s field, along with Matthew Baldwin, to card  four rounds under par and has risen to 21st in the DP World Tour Rankings. Having won the Jock MacVicar Memorial Award for finishing as the top home player at the Genesis Scottish Open last month, it is fair to say he is enjoying a summer to savour.

Top ten for Silver Medallist Celli

After missing the cut at Celtic Manor last week in his first Tour event since winning the Silver Medal at The 150th Open, amateur Filippo Celli closed out another memorable week in his fledgling career with a a 68 to finish at seven under and in a tie for seventh position. A fast start on Saturday may have had him dreaming of becoming just the fourth player to win a Tour title as an amateur but the Italian’s progress is one to be followed with interest.

Paratore back in ascendency

Renato Paratore is unquestionably a player with great talent, as proven by his status as a two-time winner on Tour but the first half of this season has certainly tested his resilience. The Italian made the cut just twice in his first 19 appearances of the 2022 campaign, yet he has now backed up a tie for third in Wales last week with a tie for fourth in Northern Ireland after a closing 64. Upcoming events in the Czech Republic and Switzerland provide further opportunities for the 25-year-old to claim more valuable DP World Tour Ranking Points.