Final round rally from Luke Joy sets up a one shot win on Mena Golf Tour Ascorp Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open
Luke Joy overturned a three-shot deficit with a final round 68 to win the MENA Golf Tour’s ASCORP GOLF CITIZEN Abu Dhabi Open at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Englishman, who picked up early momentum with an eagle on the second in hot and humid conditions, ended on 11-under-par for the week, edging out compatriot and overnight leader Ross McGowan by one shot with Zane Scotland, also of England, and Tyler Hogarty of South Africa sharing third a further shot back on nine under.
“I played really nice and was very solid. I think my conservative aggression to the game did the trick in the end,” said Joy after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for $9,000 from Khalfan Al Kaabi, Chairman of event sponsor, Ascorp Holdings. Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour and Paul Booth, director of Club Operations at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, were also present.
“Seriously, I never thought an 11-under would be good enough to seal the victory. I was ready for a playoff, but I am glad that it didn’t happen,” said Joy, who needed a playoff to win the Dubai Creek Open two weeks ago and followed it with a second-place finish at last week’s Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open.
“With a first, a second and a first in my first three tournaments on the tour, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I am really loving my run out here,” said Joy, who holed a bunker shot on the second for his eagle on the second and never looked back.
England’s McGowan, who led by two shots going into the final round, had his chance to repeat his 2012 victory at this venue, but ran out of luck when it mattered most.
“I don’t think I made too many mistakes out there. It is just that I landed in the wrong spots at the wrong time, especially on the 13th. That resulted in a bogey and then I three-putted the 15th. That is golf for you – anything can happen,” said McGowan, a former European Tour player who won the Madrid Masters in 2009.
A six-time winner on the MENA Golf Tour, Scotland took an early solo lead with three birdies in his first five holes, but three subsequent bogeys undermined his brilliant start. Though he birdied the par-3 17th, the gain proved too late in the day.
“I think I played a lot more good shots today than I did in the previous two days which was pleasing. I can definitely take a lot of positives out of this tournament,” said Scotland, who will be defending his title at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic next week.
The English domination continued in the amateur division as well with Elliott Oxlade sharing the top spot with Scotland’s Daniel Kay on three-over.
Morocco’s Younes El Hassani made it two-in-a-row when he won the MENA Division for the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award on five-under, a good nine shots ahead of compatriot Amine Joudar with Mehdi Saissi taking the honours in amateur division.
Pic caption: Luke Joy, the winner of the ASCORP GOLF CITIZEN Abu Dhabi Open, with Khalfan Al Kaabi, Chairman of Ascorp Holdings, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, and Paul Booth, director of Club Operations at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
