01투어 카드 지키기 위한 배수진…식단 문제 극복이 관건
다음 시즌 DP월드투어 출전권(시드)을 지키기 위한 선수들의 생존 경쟁이 한국에서 열린 대회 현장을 뜨겁게 달구고 있다. 시즌 막바지에 다다르면서 상위 순위를 유지해 투어 카드를 확보해야 하는 선수들에게 매 라운드가 사투나 다름없는 상황이다.
이처럼 한 샷 한 샷이 절박한 상황에서 미국의 션 크로커(Sean Crocker)는 예상치 못한 악재와 싸우고 있다. 그는 한국에 머무는 동안 닭고기 음식을 제대로 소화하지 못해 컨디션 난조를 겪는 등 식단 관리에 큰 애를 먹고 있다.
컨디션 유지의 핵심인 식사조차 쉽지 않은 불리한 여건 속에서도 션 크로커는 투어 출전권을 지켜내겠다는 강한 의지를 보이고 있다. 중요한 사안이 걸린 이번 한국 대회에서 그가 신체적 불편함을 이겨내고 소기의 목적을 달성할 수 있을지 관심이 집중된다.
02Original (English) — DP World Tour
Sean Crocker joked chicken wings will be off the menu as the tension to retain his playing rights for the 2027 DP World Tour heads down to the final round in Korea.
The American, who tasted victory at this level at the 2022 Hero Open, is among the many players on the bubble who are aiming to finish in the top 100 on the Race to Dubai Rankings delivered by DP World during the final event of the regular season at the 2026 Genesis Championship.
It has been pretty stressful for Crocker, who parred the last just to make the cut at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club before trying to move up the leaderboard on Saturday to improve his chances of keeping his playing privileges.
He mixed four birdies and three bogeys before closing with a gain to seal a two-under 69 on Moving Day, leaving the 30-year-old in the precarious 100th position.
"I'm tired. This is the last event, technically, of a 12-week stretch for me," Crocker admitted.
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"It's hard being patient because I'm quite an emotional person so it's kind of hard not to let anything get to me during this week because that's what's helping me stay in it.
"Bogeys, a soft bogey and a good bogey, whatever it is, it's trying to move on this week from every shot I hit.
"Me and Stevie (Pettit, caddie) have been really patient and he's done as good as a job as he can to let me use him as a punching bag when I need to and not argue.
"He usually does, but to let me express a little bit of emoition, whether I'm right or wrong, and getting on with it and just trying to move on to the next shot.
"I will rest, stay off my phone, stay away from people and maybe have another beer this evening, but I can't go for more chicken wings because my stomach is messed up from the stress and the chicken wings man, I'm struggling!"
Matteo Manassero insisted he was focusing on himself and will "stay out of drama" over the weekend.
The Italian has made 306 DP World Tour appearances, earning five wins and 32 top-ten finishes during his illustrious career but he remained calm after a level-par 71 during round three, which saw him card four birdies, a double bogey and two dropped shots.
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"It's similar to what it has been for the last two months, I said this yesterday and not much else," Manassero said.
"I'm just trying to play golf, just trying to do my thing and that's it, and I'll try and stay out of drama as much as I can.
"I'm just trying to stay confident in what I'm doing although sometimes I don't feel like I'm going to hit the best shot - I have different emotions on the golf course - so I'm just trying to stay there, stay present with what I have to do.
"I had some very good options after that double bogey (at the 12th) and I actually could have been one or two better maybe.
"I will do some practice, for sure, just like another day. I'll try and prepare for as good as a Sunday as I can have.
"I think they have plenty of experiences, if they are here they are good enough to do well. I focus on myself and that's it really. There is only so much I can do and it's my game.
"I don't think I'm in a battle with anyone else, I'm just trying to play golf and do it as good as possible."
News
The Grand Final takes place from October 29-November 1, with the field now confirmed for the season-ending finale. 15 players are set to earn life-changing DP World Tour cards for the 2026 season, it’s all to play for. Here’s our guide to all 45 players set to tee it up