Scotland Creates History In Dubai.

England’s Zane Scotland has created history after he birdied the last hole to win the MENA Golf Tour’s Dubai Creek Open and become the first player to successfully defend a tour event.

Starting the final day one shot off the pace, Scotland, who is also a ‘golf in DUBAi’ ambassador, closed with a four-under 67 to reach seven-under 206, beating Trevor Marshall, the overnight leader from New Zealand, by one shot as English amateur Max Williams bogeyed the last to finish third on five-under.

“It feels great to defend the title,” said Scotland.

“I think I played pretty tidy golf all days. Trevor and Max kept up the pressure most of the day, but I managed to pull it through on a course where I always feel at home,” said a delighted Scotland after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for US$9,000 from Heshan Al Qassim, CEO and vice chairman of wasl.

Heshan Al Qassim, CEO and vice chairman of wasl, presenting the winner’s trophy to Zane Scotland as Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, Mustafa Al Hashimi, general manager of Dubai Creek Golf Club, George Horan, the club captain, and Chris May, CEO of Dubai Golf, look on

Heshan Al Qassim, CEO and vice chairman of wasl, presenting the winner’s trophy to Zane Scotland as Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, Mustafa Al Hashimi, general manager of Dubai Creek Golf Club, George Horan, the club captain, and Chris May, CEO of Dubai Golf, look on

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, Mustafa Al Hashimi, General Manager of Dubai Creek Golf Club, George Horan, the club captain, and Chris May, CEO of Dubai Golf, were also present at the presentation ceremony.

Scotland, who won the inagurual Dubai Creek Open by two shots from Wales Stephen Dodd in 2012, eased into his title-hungry mode with back-to-back birdies on the 3rd and 4th before reaching the turn in two-under 33.

He kept the momentum rolling all the way through, picking the crucial birdie on the last to finish with a flourish and land his fourth trophy on the tour. His playing partner Marshall also picked up a shot on the last to beat Williams to third place.

Williams, however, had the consolation of topping his amateur division with sub-par rounds of 70, 70 and 68 for a five-under par total of 208, a staggering 11 shots of ahead of Michael Harradine of Switzerland.

Marshall, who carded a two-under 69 in the final round, felt he had his chances, but missed crucial putts early in his round and that kind proved decisive in the end. “I started the day one ahead and finished one back – not bad at all. That’s all part of golf. To be honest I have no regret losing to Zane – a classy player,” said the New Zealander, who is attached to Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.

Morocco’s Younes Al Hassani, faded out of contention after dropping a shot each on third and fifth before settling for a two-over 73 which, however, was good enough for him to post a top-10 finish at 2-over 215.

“I struck the ball really well and felt good about my overall game,” he said.

“A top 10 finish in a quality field like this one is certainly a creditable achievement for me,” said El Hassani, who was runner-up to Scotland in the tour’s opening event this year in Rabat.

England’s Jack Harrison made the biggest gain on the final day, firing a sizzling a five-under 66 – the tournament’s best round – after making the turn at six-under. An eagle on the fourth, five birdies and a double bogey (on the 15th) highlighted his round which propelled him to a tied fifth on one-over 214.

The tour travels to Saudi Arabia next week for the American Express Dirab Golf Championship, starting on Monday, September 30.

Leading scores (professionals) – Par 71

206 – Zane  Scotland (Scotland) 69 70 67

207 – Trevor Marshall New Zealand) 207

208 – Max Williams (England-amateur) 70 70 68

212 Daniel Owen (England) 72 73 67

214 – Yasin Ali (England) 70 70 74, Jack Harrison (England) 74 74 66; Hamza  Amin (Pakistan) 74 71 69; Jake Shepherd (England) 74 69 71; Ian Keenan (England) 70 71 73

Notable:

215 – Younes El Hassani (Morocco) 71 71 73

220 – Stephen Dodd (Wales) 72 74 74

223 – Ross McGowan (England) 73 74 76

Amateurs:

208 – Max Williams (England-amateur) 70 70 68

219 – Michael Harradine 70 75 74

221 – James Allan (England) 69 76 76

222 – Jean-Michel Hall 79 71 72; Mustapha El Maouas (Morocco) 78 73 71

* Special thanks to Viren Varma, MENA Tour.



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