Harrold wins final event but Dodd claims the Mena Golf Tour crown in Al Ain
William Harrold birdied the closing hole to see off a determined challenge from Stephen Dodd and win the MENA Tour Championship at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club on Wednesday.
The two overnight joint leaders went head to head till the penultimate 53rd hole, and just when the prospect of a playoff loomed, the Englishman held his nerve to sink a tricky 20-foot birdie putt, sealing a well-deserved victory — his first since turning professional in February earlier this year.
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.
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.
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.”
Harrold was equally excited with his work this week. “This win will always be special since it’s my first as a professional,” said the 24-year-old Englishman from Norfolk.
“Playing in Omega Dubai Desert Classic will be just awesome. I think every player here wanted to play there. Getting a Classic spot, is easily the best thing that happened to me.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Williams said: “The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is the biggest of three (European Tour) events in the region, and you can’t put prize on it,” said the Englishman, who topped the Order of Merit for Amateurs with 176 points, well ahead of Switzerland’s Michael Harradine (154) and compatriot Tyler Hogarty (147)
“I think Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation is doing a fantastic job by awarding a spot to an amateur,” said the Englishman, who has featured in the Qatar Masters a good three times, thanks to victories in the Qatar Amateur Championships.
Leading scores after the final round (par-71)
196 – William Harrold (England) 64 65 67
197 – Stephen Dodd (Wales) 64 65 68
198 – Duncan Stewat (Scotland) 67 68 63
200 – Craig Smith (Wales) 65 71 64
201 – Zane Scotland (England) 72 66 63
203 – Simon Dunn (Scotland) 69 64 70
205 0 Fredrik Quicker (Sweden) 69 67 69; Dan Waite (England) 67 72 66; Faycal Serghini (Morocco) 67 67 71
Order of Merit standings (professionals):
1. Stephen Dodd (Wales) $27,636
2. Zane Scoltand (England) $ 25,697
3. William Harrold (England) $20,455
Order of Merit for Amateurs:
1. Max Williams (England) 176 points
2. Michael Harradine (Switzerland) 154
3. Tyler Hogarty (England) 147.
PIC CAPTION
MENA Golf Tour champion Stephen Dodd receiving the trophy from Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, as 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, look on
