Robinson cruises into contention in Oman

James Robinson admitted that despite his lowly position in the Road to Oman Rankings, in 43^rdplace, he is in perfect shape to unleash the shackles and attack at the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final after the Englishman opened with a bogey-free 68 to move into contention.

The 27 year old only scraped in to this week’s season finale by just over €1,500 and only a win or a very high finish in the Omani capital of Muscat this week would be enough to secure his place on The European Tour in 2016.

Robinson believes, though, that the pressure is off and it was a relaxed yet determined mind set which pushed him to a four under par round and boosted his hopes of making a dramatic push for graduation to the top tier.

“It was just solid all the way around really,” he said. “I gave myself a lot of chances and hit a lot of greens, I haven’t worked it out but I must have hit 14 or 15 greens so it was just steady golf.

“I’ve done a bit of hard work the last week when I was at home. Obviously it’s the Grand Final so you want to push as hard as you can.

“I’m in 43^rdin the Order of Merit and I’m looking at it that I have nothing to lose, the only way is up. If I finish top 15 it would be great and if I don’t it’s a bit of cash for the winter, which we need.

“I’ve had a few top tens but it’s been up and down. I’ve missed a few cuts but then I’ve had a few good results as well so I just see it as a push for the finish line really. Whether I finish 45^thor tenth, the money is there.

“I won’t get my card if I finish tenth so I’ve just got to try and push and hopefully get a top two, which may do it.

“It was lovely. I started early doors and the wind wasn’t too much of an issue then. It was just really hot with no wind. But after about nine holes the wind picked it and the wind doesn’t affect the course massively, maybe a one-club wind, but it’s a good test of golf here.

“I’ve just been working hard on my game and hitting driver really well, which is key around here. I just need to stick to the same plan and keep going, see what happens at the end of the week.”