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Jamie Donaldson among players to secure European Tour card for 2018

CADIZ, SPAIN - OCTOBER 19:  Jamie Donaldson of Wales hits his second shot on the 18th hole during day one of the Andalucia Valderrama Masters at Real Club
Image: Donaldson has posted three top-10s in 2017

Jamie Donaldson was among the players to secure their European Tour futures with strong performances at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters.

Donaldson grabbed fourth spot at Valderrama, seven strokes adrift of winner Sergio Garcia, moving him inside the top 101 in the Race to Dubai standings and securing his playing privileges for 2018.

The 2014 Ryder Cup star needed at least a top-eight finish to avoid a trip to Qualifying School or using his Career Money List exemption next season, but moved up 19 places to 99th position in the standings.

"You've got to finish a certain position to guarantee things, so you've always got that in the back of your mind, but you've just got to play the golf course as you planned to play it," Donaldson said after his level-par 71.

"I had a bit of a cushion knowing that I didn't completely need to keep my card because I do have a year left of my Career Money List exemption but, even so, you don't want to use it."

The Welshman was one of three players to move inside the top 101, with Daniel Brooks rising to 97th place after finishing third and Australia's Wade Ormsby leaping to 82nd spot after grabbing fifth.

CADIZ, SPAIN - OCTOBER 22:  Daniel Brooks of England tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of of the Andalucia Valderrama Masters at Real Club Va
Image: Brooks began the week 123 in the standings

The Access List offers 10 further cards for the players earning the most money from tournaments which aren't the Rolex Series events, World Golf Championships and the Masters.

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Ashely Chesters carded a three-under 68 on Sunday to make his way onto the list, with Ricardo Gouveia also getting on after ending the week on one over.

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