Andrew Marshall broke free from a late tie with fellow Englishman Adam Sagar with a birdie on the first playoff hole to win the Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open for his second title on the MENA Golf Tour at Al Badia Golf Club on Wednesday.
Marshall conjured a piece of magic at the first extra hole, the par-5 18th, drilling his six iron from 195 yards to within 10 feet and two-putted for the winning birdie while Sagar found the water with his approach in a tense finish the event.
A good two shots in front overnight, Marshall closed with a topsy-turvy 73 to reach eight-under for the tournament in regulation, forcing a playoff with his compatriot, who playing four groups behind, carded a final round of 68 to set the clubhouse target.
Morocco’s Younes El Hassani returned a tidy final round 71 to share third on six under in a four-man group that included Sixto Casabona-navarro of Spain, Fredrik Lindbl om of Sweden and Chile’s Antonio Costa.
Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open winner Andrew Marshall of England with James
Koratzopoulos of Dubai Festival City and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of
the MENA Golf Tour, at Al Badia Golf Club on Wednesday
The day belonged to Marshall, Golf’s Mr Nice Guy, who fully deserved his moment in the spotlight. He had his fair share of anxious moments, but each time he responded like the champion he is to seal another win in a season overflowing with dominant performances.
“It feels nice to get the job done. I played quite nicely, but my putting wasn’t up the mark, missed quite a few short ones coming home,” said Marshall after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for $9,000 from James Koratzopoulos of Dubai Festival City and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour.
“I needed a birdie on the final hole to win in regulation, but my aggressive approach didn’t pay off. I chipped out of the bunker well, but missed the ensuing putt by a whisker.
“Also, hot and humid conditions made things a bit difficult and then there was the pressure of holding on to the lead,” said the 42-year- old Englishman who now boasts two firsts, a second and a tied seventh in the four events he has played in his first season on tour.
“I am loving this little run on the MENA Golf Tour. If I can keep the momentum going it will be great,” said Marshall, who is a former resident of Dubai.
Tied for seventh on four under overnight, Sagar rebounded from a three-bogeys-in-a- row start with a streak of seven birdies, including four on the spin from the 12th to make things interesting.
“I fought back well and put myself into contention, which was great,” said the Englishman, who like Marshall, is also playing in his first season the MENA Golf Tour.
“At the end of the day, I fell short by just one shot. Look forward to playing the next event on tour and hopefully I can get over the line,” he added.
Chile’s Matias Calderon upstaged India’s Rayhan Thomas for the leading amateur award, finishing in solo seventh at five under. Young Thomas, who won the Dubai Creek Open last week, returned a 76 to settle for a share of ninth at three under.
“I struggled with my putting in the opening round, but played really well the next two days. Certainly, proud of my work during the week,” said 24-year- Chilean.
Morocco’s El Hassani won the MENA Division for professionals while Saudi Arabia’s Othman Almulla took the honours in the amateur category, finishing one shot ahead of his fellow countryman Khalid Attieh.
The MENA Golf Tour travels to the Els Club Dubai next week for the Golf Citizen Classic, starting on September 19.
