Ferguson Heading To Qatar Masters Defence Buoyed By Strong Spanish Showing

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Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson was heading to the Middle East and this week’s defence of his CB Qatar Masters title buoyed by his strong showing at the Estrella Damm Andalucian Masters in Spain.

Ferguson, 27, muscled his way to a share of 13th place thanks to four closing nine birdies in succession in posting a three-under 69 for a share of 13th place in wet and windy last day conditions on the host Sotogrande course at San Roque.

Poland’s Adrian Meronk made it four career DP World Tour titles and a second this season, posting a sizzling closing 66 that included back-to-back starting bogeys but then two eagles and four birdies.

Meronk, who was left bitterly disappointed in not being picked for Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup side, won by a shot at 15-under to also make it four wins in just 15 months.

Meronk said: “It was a tough tournament, tough weather, I didn’t have my best golf on the first day so to win the tournament is very special. I’m over the moon.”

Ferguson’s effort is his eighth top-15th finish in just his second full season, and with the double Tour winner from last year, picking-up two places in moving to 43rd on the Race to Dubai, and with the top-60 qualifying for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in just three events.

He said: “It’s been another good week, though feeling quite tired now as it’s been a tough couple of weeks.

“I’m also conscious knowing just how hard I want to qualify for Dubai, so I am trying hard for that to happen.  I’m also now living in Dubai and it would be disheartening if I didn’t qualify.

“So, in coming here to Spain and knowing it would be tough weather, I was quite happy because I know I am usually quite good in the tougher weather.

“It’s why today’s last round was really pleasing, posting four birdies over my closing nine”

It was March last year when Ferguson regrouped from a shock second hole final round double-bogey and then eagle 16 and birdied the last to become the fourth Scot in the Qatar Masters 25-year history to be handed the stunning ‘Mother of Pearl winner’s trophy.

He said: “This year’s Qatar Masters, of course, is much later this year so I’ve had the chance in August to defend my ISPS Handa World Invitational title.

“Of course, the Qatar Masters will always be special as it was my first Tour victory also, I am looking forward to going back to Doha. I love that golf course”.

Next best of the Scots was Richie Ramsay (67) at eight-under and one fewer than Bob MacIntyre (72) and Connor Syme (72)

And good news for Marc Warren who has moved to 117th on the Race to Dubai money list and just one spot shy of holding onto the Tour card for next season.

However, Scott Jamieson in missing the Andalucian halfway cut has dropped five spots to 119th and three places outside the top-116.

 



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