MENA Golf Tour set for a classic in Ras al Khaimah event
Ross Canavan will be hoping to draw inspiration from his last year’s dramatic victory when he returns to defend his title at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic, the fourth event on the 2012 MENA Golf Tour, starting at Tower Links Club on Monday.
The Englishman, six shots off the pace going into the final round, emerged a surprise winner after his fellow countryman Jake Shepherd suffered an incredible meltdown, squandering a healthy five-stroke advantage coming down the stretch.
With nightmarish memories well behind Shepherd, who went on to win the 2011 Order of Merit title, the script promises to unfold another twist and turns as the strong 102 field is stocked with potential winners.
Included in the starting line-up are Stephen Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour, Shafiq Masih, the last week’s winner at Dirab Golf and Country Club, Zane Scotland, who won the Dubai Creek Open, the opening event of the tour, and Tyler Hogarty, currently placed second on the Order of Merit for amateurs.
The return of Dodd, who finished runner-up and fifth in the first two events before the missing the Saudi Arabia leg due to personal commitments, will add to the level of excitement on the tour which has produced three different winners in the first three events.
“I think I am driving the ball well, but not making that many birdies. Hopefully, things would take a turn for the better,” said the Welshman, who failed to hold on to his two-shot lead on the final day at the Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open, eventually finishing fifth.
Defending Ras Al Khamiah Classic champion Canavan would need more than a slice of luck this time around if he aims to consolidate his position in the Order of Merit standings. “I am just struggling with swing and need to figure out quickly what I am doing wrong,” said the Englishman, currently languishing in the 46th place.
“It feels good to return to a venue where you have enjoyed a bit of success. I am going in with a positive mind set and let’s hope for the best,” he added.
Unlike Canavan, Pakistan’s Masih is on a high following his last week’s win in Saudi Arabia. “My game is back on track. If I continue in the same vein of form, I can expect another strong finish.
“My ultimate goal is to finish among top three in the Order of Merit standings and win a place in the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. I am getting there, but still a lot of golf is to be played before I realize my dream.”
England’s Peter Richardson, who currently leads the Asian Development Tour’s Order of Merit with $22,827 in earnings from eight events, UAE’s Ahmed Al Musharrekh and Canada’s Lindsay Renolds are among other players who be followed keenly at the challenging par-72, 7016-yard course.
According to Simon Payne, the head golf professional at the Tower Links Golf Club, the course is set up nicely, but three tricky holes could hold the key to posting good numbers.
“Anyone walking off with a par on the fifth (par-5), 13th (par-5) and 17th (par-4) would have done a great job. Any better scores on these holes will be a bonus,” said Payne, who himself is competing in the event.
“The par-five18th is reachable and we can expect lot of eagles there. It’s a great finishing hole and could well decide the winner on the final day,” said Payne, who jointly holds the course record of a 67 with England’s Shepherd.
A new initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the MENA Golf Tour is affiliated to R&A and the Arab Golf Federation. The six-stop tour, which is backed by Omega and Mercedes-Benz, boasts a combined prize fund of $325,000.
