Danish surge

Dubai:Thomas Björn strengthened his position in The Race to Dubai bonus pool positions with his third win of the season in the Omega European Masters, while Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer both kept up pressure on leader Luke Donald following top three finishes in Crans-sur-Sierre.

Björn's victory in Switzerland, his second consecutive European Tour triumph following his win in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, moved him up one position into seventh place in The Race to Dubai, overtaking Open champion Darren Clarke. The Dane has earned €1,381,444 so far this season, already making it his fourth most lucrative campaign in 16 seasons on The European Tour with more than three months, and the $7,500,000 Dubai World Championship presented by DP World, still to play.

"I've moved up a place in The Race to Dubai and I want to end the season strongly," said the 40-year-old. "I'm in a good position. I'm a bit off the lead obviously, but I'm in a position where I can get a large part of the bonus pool. To win three times in one season is a marvellous achievement and I've reached a good level of consistency now. Hopefully I can continue that through to the Dubai World Championship."

Björn's resurgence may have surprised a few in the game but not world-respected golf coach Pete Cowen. "When he gets into the right frame of mind Thomas is always going to be a threat as he is a massively talented golfer - and definitely one of the best wedge players in the world," said Cowen who has overseen Björn's work with fellow coach Mike Walker.