England’s William Harrold won the final event on the MENA Tour but it was Welshman Stephen Dodd picking up the bigger prize in ending the 2012 season as Number One.

The 24-year-old English prodigy closed with a 67 to end at an impressive 17-under, one ahead of Dodd and two off Scotland’s Duncan Stewart, who set a new course with a final round 63, matching Zane Scotland’s feat recorded earlier in the day at the Al Ain course.

Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour, may have narrowly missed on winning the Tour Championship, but claimed the coveted title of MENA Golf Tour Number One.

Welshman Stephen Dodd heading to next year’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic as 2012 MENA Tour Number one.

The 46-year-old Welshman topped the Order of Merit standings with $27,636 in earnings from five events he played on the six-event tour, ahead of Scotland ($25,697) and Harrold ($20,455)

The top three in the standings will receive golden tickets to the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic along with Max Williams, who emerged as the Leading Amateur on the Tour.

“I think I have achieved everything I wanted to from this tour. I have some great memories of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and it will be fun to return to a venue (Emirates Golf Club) where I finished second (to Ernie Els) in 2005,” said Dodd after receiving the trophy from Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation.

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, and Saif Al Shamsi, a board member of the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club, were also present.

“Playing on the tour has helped build a nice momentum going into the European Tour qualifying school later this month. Actually, I was surprised to see how well the tour is run. It’s on par with any tour. I am sure with time it will grow from strength and strength.

“I played well in all the tournaments here, but today I didn’t putt that well. Anyway, it feels great finish as the number one player on the tour. That was the goal.”