DP World Tour hits final-round contender with costly slow-play penalty in Turkish Open drama

Italy’s Gregorio de Leo endured a painful turning point in the final round of the Turkish Airlines Open on Sunday after being handed a one-shot penalty for slow play while in contention for his maiden DP World Tour title.

The ruling was confirmed to Today’s Golfer’s Ben Parsons, with a DP World Tour spokesperson explaining that de Leo exceeded the permitted shot time on the 168-yard par-3 11th hole while being actively monitored.

De Leo, 26, had entered the back nine just one shot off the lead and firmly in the mix for a first victory at The National Club in Belek. 

However, his group had already been placed under observation after walking off the ninth tee.

On the par-3 11th, de Leo went over his allocated time of 50 seconds for the stroke by more than an additional 30 seconds, triggering the penalty under DP World Tour regulations.

“The one shot penalty is because the player exceeded his allowed time for the stroke (50 seconds) by more than an additional 30 seconds – whilst being monitored," a DP World Tour spokesperson confirmed to Today's Golfer during the final round. 

“In such situations the DP World Tour Pace of Play Policy stipulates a one stroke penalty to be applied.”

De Leo still managed to make an up-and-down from just short of the green for par, but was informed immediately afterwards by a referee that the score had been adjusted to a bogey-four as a result of the penalty.

Despite the setback, the Q-School graduate responded well with a birdie on the par-5 12th. 

However, late bogeys on the 15th and 17th derailed his challenge, and he eventually signed for a level-par 72.

He finished in a tie for seventh on six-under par, collecting €64,511.68 for his week’s work in Turkey. 

Yet the outcome will likely feel bittersweet, with the penalty proving decisive in his bid for a breakthrough victory.

At the top of the leaderboard, Sweden’s Mikael Lindberg claimed his first DP World Tour title with a composed two-shot victory. 

The 33-year-old closed with a three-under 69 to finish on 10-under par, securing the win in his 70th Tour start.

The victory also earns Lindberg a place at the PGA Championship at Aronimink in two weeks’ time, marking his major debut.

Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and Portugal’s Daniel Rodrigues shared second place on eight-under, while Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson, the Netherlands’ Darius van Driel and Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen rounded out the top five on seven-under.

Lindberg’s win also brought a significant financial boost, banking $467,500 for the victory along with a $200,000 bonus for topping the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing standings.