Staff WriterAt the weather-shortened Porsche Singapore Classic, Richard Mansell secured his maiden DP World Tour title with a brilliant birdie that saw him edge out the competition by a single stroke.
In a day where the skies played their own part by curtailing the tournament to 54 holes, the Englishman entered the final round just one shot behind the leader at 10 under par.
Mansell wasted no time making his mark. After posting three steady opening pars, he ignited his round with an astonishing streak of five birdies in a row from the fourth hole at Laguna National Golf Resort Club, carving out a two-shot lead by the turn.
As the final holes loomed, you could practically feel the electricity in the air and it wasn’t just from the weeks thunder and lightning.
Yet, he kept his cool, biding his time until the perfect moment arrived. And when it did, he delivered a jaw-dropping two-putt from over 100 feet on the 18th—snatching a birdie that wrapped up a 66 and brought him to 16 under par.
It was a win by the skin of his teeth, just one shot ahead of Keita Nakajima, who had been lounging in the clubhouse until that dramatic finish.
Richard Mansell: “What a feeling. Just to get into that position, and I played so well today. First week with a new caddie so that was a good start and he just, a couple of times got me to slow down.
“It makes those near-misses and when I’ve got ahead of myself in the past just kind of worth it and it just means that much more.
“In 2022 I had quite a few close calls and didn’t get it done. Looking back on it I probably should’ve kept doing what I was doing and it probably would’ve happened a lot sooner.
“But I went searching, I tried to change and I became quite good at pointing the finger, blaming other people why it hadn’t happened.
“And I started just not enjoying it as much and I just got a little bit lost from where I’d actually come from.
“It’s taken a lot of work these past six months. Ellie, my wife, has been so supportive. I’ve just had to really, really stay patient and forget everyone else and that was my main thing today, to focus on myself.
“Luckily I had an opportunity on the last hole to hole a putt for the win and I managed to do it.
“It’s amazing. I’ve just been on the phone to my mum and dad and Ellie’s parents. So many people have supported me and believed in me when I stopped doing it myself.
“One thing I’d say to people trying to do it as a career, that moment’s the most fulfilling thing in the world and it’s worth it. So stick in and hopefully you’ll get rewarded one day like I have today.
Adding an extra twist to his triumphant day, Mansell celebrated the win with his new caddie, David Kenny, and this stellar performance has vaulted him to the top of the Asian Swing Rankings. Nakajima, whose round of seven birdies in a spotless 65 propelled him into serious contention, ultimately saw his hopes dashed by Mansell’s last-minute heroics.
The Japanese 24-year-old finished alone in second spot at 15 under par, narrowly edging out Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin and Frenchman Adrien Saddier, who shared third place.
In a tournament shaped by skill, grit, and a dash of luck thanks to Mother Nature’s meddling, Mansell’s triumph at the Porsche Singapore Classic felt like a masterclass in handling pressure — and could well mark a defining moment in his career.
