Scotland’s Marc Warren will reap the rewards despite failing to bank victory in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.
Warren bravely fought back from a gut-wrenching double bogey at the eight hole only to lose out by a shot to South African Branden Grace.
Grace collected his sixth European Tour win and his second in four events on this year’s European Tour 2014/15 wraparound schedule posting a last day six under par 66 to win by a stroke with a 19-under par tally.
Callaway’s Marc Warren now certain to qualify for the WGC Cadillac Championship after finishing runner-up in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Warren, 33 bounced back from the eighth hole double to birdie six of his closing 10 holes and only just missing a birdie at the last that would have sent the event into a play-off before ending with a score of 67 at 18-under par.
He said: “I knew standing in the middle of the 18th fairway I was one behind and the most important thing was to give myself a chance and while I put a good stroke on my birdie putt, it just wasn’t meant to be.
“Overall, I am very proud of myself how well I have played this week and to play the last 10 holes in the manner I did given the intensity of the contest out there is very pleasing”.
The Scot commenced the last day locked in a four-way tie for the lead at 13-under and with Warran quickly sprinting clear birding the opening two holes.
However he progress was checked when Warren dropped a shot at the fifth.
And a pulling off what Warren described was the ‘Shot of his Career’ on day two, his caddy described the 7-iron off the par three, eighth tee as the ‘Worst shot of Warren’s career.
Warren said: “It was just a poor swing and I should have hit a hard 8-iron instead of a soft 7-iron”.
But Warren was not to be denied clawing his way back to what was a six-way share of the lead at 14-under par courtesy of birdies at 10 and 11.
However he didn’t count on Grace driving the green at the shorten par four 16th and then going two clear when the South African, and former Alfred Dunhill Links winner, holed the five-foot eagle putt to go two clear at 18-under par.
Though Warren was not done managing to birdie 16 and then landing a 9-iron tee shot at 17 to 15 feet and holing the eighth birdie of his round.
Despite his disappointment Warren should move from his current World No. 71 ranking and inside the top-60, and the assurance of a start in next month’s $US 8.5m WGC – Cadillac Championship in Miami.
Warren would then have to start thinking of a maiden Masters appearance by breaking inside the top by the last week in March.
He said: “Finishing second here is my best finish in any of the three Middle East events and I was thinking this morning how nice it would be continue a Scottish winning feeling out here given Andy Coltart and Paul Lawrie have won here and Stevie’s (Gallacher) won the last two in Dubai.
“So it’s a great start to my year and with large World Ranking points also on offer next week in Dubai it’s a real exciting time for me to be playing well.”
