RIYADH, Oct 7 — Gabriel Canizares played out the drama to the last shot, winning the American Express Dirab Championship in a playoff against Craig Hinton for his maiden success on the MENA Golf Tour here on Wednesday.
Canizares, the overnight co-leader with England’s Luke Joy, needed a birdie at the last to edge the Englishman, but settled for a par en route to a closing 70 to extend the play as the two finished tied on 11-under in regulation.
Both players parred the first extra hole — the par-4, 18th — but Hinton missed the green on the second with an errant approach which resulted in a bogey while the Spaniard held his nerve to walk away with a par which was enough to seal the victory.
“I am really very excited to win this one. It wasn’t easy out there, but I am glad that I managed to get over the line,” said the Spaniard after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for $9,000 from Shaikh Khaled Abunayyan, president of the Dirab Golf and Country Club, and Fahad Al Guthami, COO of American Express (Saudi Arabia) Ltd in the presence Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour.
Gabriel Canazaries captures American Express Dirab Championship
“I was a bit nervous going into extra holes as my playoff record isn’t all the great. It’s 50-50. I think I got a bit lucky (on the second extra hole) when Craig failed to find the green,” said Canizares who, with this win, has proved that sporting prowess runs in the family.
“The competition on the (MENA) tour is very stiff and one needs to shoot at least 10 under to be in contention and that speaks volumes of the standard of golf here,” said the 41-year-old Spaniard, whose father Jose Maria is a European Tour veteran while brother Alejandro plies his trade in Europe.
England’s Hinton, who led by a good three shots after the opening round, raced to four-under after the 15th but a dropped shot after a wayward drive on the 17th blew his chances of winning the title as he closed with a 69.
“That bogey made the difference. And then I didn’t hit a good shot on the second playoff hole. I had my chances, but just couldn’t close the deal,” he said.
England’s Joy stumbled out of the gate with two bogeys on the first four holes and failed to recreate the brilliance he showed in shooting a course record 64 in the second round. His closing two-over 70 meant he finished fourth on seven under, three behind Thriston Arthur Lawrence of South Africa,
Lawrence, who carded the final day’s best score of a 68, started with a flourish, firing back-to-back birdies before making the turn at three under. The bespectacled professional dropped a shot on the par-3, 11th, but made two more gains on 14 and 17 to round off a good day at work.
Morocco’s Mehdi Saissi continued his recent run of good form, winning the MENA Division for the second time in row. The 24-year-old, who turned professional earlier this year, reached four under for the tournament after carding a final round 70 to finish three shots ahead of his compatriot Ayoub Lguirati.
Lguirati, however, had the consolation of topping the overall amateur division, on one under, two clear of England’s James Allan. “Winning the amateur division was a goal of mine and I am glad that I have achieved it,” said Lguirati.
The MENA Golf Tour travels to Dubai next week for the Golf Citizen Classic at Els Club, starting on Monday.
American Express Dirab Championship results:
Professionals:
1. Gabriel Canizares (Spain) 11 under (playoff)
2. Craig Hinton (England) 11 under
3. Thriston Arthur Lawrence (South Africa) 10 under
Amateurs:
1. Ayoub Lguirati (Morocco) 1 under
2.James Allan (England) 1 over
3. Elliott Oxlade (England) 2 over
MENA Division:
Professionals:
Mehdi Saissi (Morocco)
