Southampton’s Richard Bland took a massive step towards retaining his European Tour card after finishing in a tie for 26th place at the Portugal Masters.

The Stoneham player pocketed €17,000 in prize money, taking his earnings for the season to €237,866.

That puts him 109th in the order of merit – the top 110 players securing playing rights for next year – with just one event to go, this week’s Perth International in Australia.

The 40-year-old came on strong during the final day in Portugal, carding a flawless six-birdie final round of 65 to move up 37 places and finish on -9.

Bland had earlier shot rounds of 69, 71 and 70.

Countryman David Lynn won the title with a four-round total of -18.

Race To Dubai standings (places 100-120)

100 VAN ZYL Jaco €271,680

101 BROBERG Kristoffer €258,105

102 QUIROS Alvaro €256,761

103 PETTERSSON Carl €256,348

104 NIXON Matthew €252,179

105 DOAK Chris €251,640

106 CARLSSON Magnus A €251,434

107 VAN DER WALT Dawie €249,550

108 LEVY Alexander €240,540

109 BLAND Richard €237,866

110 BHULLAR Gaganjeet €228,355

111 KINGSTON James €225,150

112 KOEPKA Brooks €217,762

113 LAWRIE Peter €217,107

114 HIGGINS David €210,987

115 TULLO Mark €210,421

116 GAGLI Lorenzo €209,227

117 GREEN Richard €193,503

118 HARTØ Andreas €199,447

119 KALEKA Alexandre €196,980

120 CLARKE Darren €195,130