Merit winner McLeod sets sights on Europe

Jake McLeod did enough to cling to the Order of Merit honours as he battled through the final two days of the Australian PGA Championship.

Jake McLeod

Jake McLeod has topped the Order of Merit list by about $20,000 after his finish at Royal Pines. (AAP)

Jake McLeod has invited his mates to join him on the European Tour after clinging to top spot on the Order of Merit list following a tough Australian PGA Championship finish.

The 24-year-old topped the list by about $20,000, with Matt Millar's late charge to finish third at Royal Pines on Sunday almost bringing him undone.

McLeod product turned it on during November to win the NSW Open and finish third at the Australian Open to enter the tournament well on top of the list.

The Townsville had been in contention for more than two days but faded badly in the final 20 holes to finish at three under and tied for 19th behind champion Cameron Smith (16 under).

The merit win also comes with a start at the British Open, which McLeod had already earned with his third in Sydney, and invitations to World Golf Championship events in Mexico and the United States.

"I'm just stoked right now. A few tournaments ago, I didn't think about it," he said.

"It turned around quite quickly. You never know what's around the corner.

"It gives you belief and then you just need the opportunity and now I've got the opportunity."

With sights now set on the top 100, McLeod will join a small contingent of Australians on the European swing but has already received plenty of texts from his mates.

"I've got a few going on holiday so they'll have to venture over to wherever I am," he said.

"It's going to be pretty cool."

ORDER OF MERIT STANDINGS

- Jake McLeod (QLD)$255,326.54

- Matthew Millar (ACT)$236,241.34

- Daniel Nisbet (QLD)$225,982.11

- Anthony Quayle(QLD) $202,619.62

- Dimitrios Papadatos (NSW)$197,795.94


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Source: AAP



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