Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand led from start to finish to win the inaugural

Muscat Hills Golf Citizen Championship, making a significant impact on his debut

at the MENA Golf Tour on Wednesday.

 

A good two shots in front overnight, the 23-year-old Swede had the luxury of

bogeying the final hole and still winning the tournament by one shot on 11-under

after his nearest challenger from Germany, Julian Kunzenbacher, agonizing

missed a 16-footer for birdie.

 

Spain’s Xavier Puig fired a course record 66 to finish third on eight under, one

ahead of Morocco’s Younes El Hassani, Ryan Smith of Australia and Per Barth of

Sweden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With his game on cruise control, Blomstrand never relinquished his overnight lead

and made putts when he needed to make to complete a brilliant win, his second

since turning professional three years back.

 

“It feels just incredible to win here. I had a great week. Every part of my game fell

into place, which was good,” said Blomstrand after receiving the winner’s trophy

from Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, and Ray

Stopforth, director of golf at Muscat Hills and Country Club.

 

“I never really felt threatened and played my own game. I could smell the victory

when I birdied the 16th. Standing on the 18th, I had a two-shot lead. Though I three

putted, it was still good enough to get the job done,” said the Swede, who shot a

final round 70.

 

“The victory has given me a good energy boost ahead of the second stage of the

European Tour qualifier,” said the Swede who plans to play more events on the

MENA Golf Tour next season.

 

Germany’s Kunzenbacher went for broke in the last two holes. The aggressive

approach worked well on the 16th where he picked up a shot, but missed his birdie

bid at the last which would have forced a playoff.

 

“I think I had my chances, but Christofer played brilliantly and deserved to win.

Whenever I made a birdie, he was quick to respond. There was nothing much I

could do. In the end, I lost to a well-deserved winner,” said the 22-year-old

German, who closed with a 69.

 

Earlier, Australia’s Matthew Scarfone matched the day’s best score of a 66,

eclipsing the previous course record of a 65 held by Spain’s Sergio Garcia, to

reach eight-under for a share of the eighth.

 

Morocco’s El Hassani closed with a 71 to win the MENA Division on seven-under,

four clear of second-placed Amine Joudar as Amine El Malki, also of Morocco,

carded a 69 to join his compatriot Ayoub Lguirati and India’s Rayhan Thomas in a

three-way tie for the leading amateur award on one-under.

Muscat Hills Golf Citizen Championship results:

Professionals:

1.Christofer Blomstrand (Sweden) 11-under

2. Julian Kunzenbacher (Germany) 10-under

3. Xavier Puig (Spain) 8-under

Leading amateur:

Amine El Malki, Ayoub Lguirati and India’s Rayhan Thomas (all one-under)

MENA Division:

Leading professional:

Younes El Hassani (Morocco)

Leading amateur:

Amine El Malki and Ayoub Lguirati (both of Morocco)