South African Justin Harding’s decision to compete more outside of his homeland has led to him depositing a two-shot victory in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.
Harding, 33 birdied three of his closing four holes in a round of 66 for a 13-under par total but then had to wait some 45-minutes before confirmation of a maiden European Tour victory.
Nine players finished locked in second place at 11-under par including fellow South African George Coetzee who had eagled the last in a round 68 and with Coetzee among the first to congratulate Harding.
The proud Stellenbosch GC attached Harding turned pro in 2010 and arrived in Doha having won nine times on his ‘home’ Sunshine Tour and twice on the Asian Tour.
Prior to this year, Harding had played in just six of 45 European Tour dating back to 2010 outside of the African continent but this year has teed-up in
He said: “I feel good but it was a nerve-wracking coming off the last as it wasn’t a situation I had been in because I think my biggest deficit in coming from behind to win one shot.
“And to have to sit around a wait a little bit, well I didn’t enjoy it (smiling) but it’s good fun and I am glad it’s happened, so now we move on.
13 under par. Leader by two in the clubhouse.
Justin Harding is the man to catch. #QatarMasters pic.twitter.com/5usfMsfmOF
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 10, 2019
“Winning a first European Tour event now means I can get into I would like to be in and no longer will I have to pick-and-choose or wait on being an alternate.
“So, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens going forward and playing in some bigger events and maybe go on and win other events.”
Rookie Robert MacIntyre finished the leading Scot and with the lefty posting a closing 70 for a distant share of 31st place at five-under par.
Richie Ramsay had been two shots from the lead heading to the weekend but posted a pair of 76s to finish one off last place among those who made the cut.
After an eagle and eight birdies in his opening two rounds Ramsay could manage just two birdies over the weekend.
