Munir dominates the Ras Al Khaimah Classic leg of the MENA Golf Tour
Mohammed Munir maintained his dominance with little fluster to complete an emphatic wire-to-wire victory in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic, the fourth event on the 2012 MENA Golf Tour, on Wednesday.
Starting the day two in front, the Pakistan number three easily navigated through the final 18 holes with four birdies, one bogey and no major trouble in his closing 69 to finish on 12-under-204, a good four shots ahead of England’s Zane Scotland.
The Scottish duo of Tom Buchanon and David Law shared the third place on seven-under while England’s Tyler Hogarty topped the amateur division, finishing one-over-par 217.
Much was expected of Knight, who trailed Munir by two shots going into the final round, but the US prodigy quickly handed the initiative away by dropping two shots on the fourth.
He kept things interesting with birdie putts on the sixth, 10th, 13th and 14th, but a triple bogey on the 15th blew all his hopes as he closed with a disappointing 77 to finish in the middle of the pack.
The day simply belonged to Munir who with this victory has become the second Pakistani after Shafiq Masih to achieve the feat on the MENA Golf Tour.
Their success story on this Tour could well signal the start of a healthy rivalry between a clutch of the country’s top players who bring their own brand of power, flair and exuberance to the game.
“Shafiq’s victory in Saudi Arabia last week has changed the mindset of Pakistan players who are now far more pro-active and believe they can win at any level. My win has proved just that new-found confidence,” said Munir after receiving the winner’s trophy from guest of honor Shaikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of RAK Free Trade Zone.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, and Adel Zarouni, vice chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, were also present at the presentation ceremony at Tower Links Golf Club.
“Our success on the MENA Tour is a good advertisement for Pakistan golf in general. We have many good pros in our country and, hopefully, they will be motivated by our achievements to scale even bigger heights,” said Munir, who turned pro in 1994.
Taking a relaxed attitude into the final round, he said, did the trick. “I just played my own game, and I when he made turn at 11 under, the victory was almost assured.
“The back nine of this course are my favourites. Again I played well there. In fact, I am eight-under for the tournament on this half,” said Munir, who felt he stood a good chance of finishing among top three in the Order of Merit.
“The ultimate goal is to win a place in the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. One more strong finish and I will be there, God willing,” said Munir whose win carried a cash prize of $9,000.
Meanwhile, Anton Haig, the winner of the 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic, was tied for ninth on four under while Stephen Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour, settled for tied 18th on one under.
Leading scores after the final round:
204 – Mohammad Munir (Pakistan) 66 69 69
208 – Zane Scotland (England) 71 70 67
209 – David Law (Scotland) 73 67 69; Tom Buchanan (Scotland) 72 68 69
210 – Matloob Ahmed (Pakistan) 70 71 69; Ian Keenan (England) 72 71 67; Martin LeMesurier (England) 72 69 69
211 – Fredrik Quicker (Sweden) 69 71 71
212 – Anton Haig (South Africa) 69 70 73; Duncan Stewart (Scotland)70 70 72
213 – Cennydd Mills (Wales) 71 7171; Yasin Ali (England) 73 72 68; Simon Dunn (England) 73 71 69
214 – Gary Knight (US) 70 67 77; Craig Smith (Wales) 74 72 68; William Harrold (England) 75 68 71; YounesElHassani (Morocco) 7 72 72
Amateur division:
217 – Tyler Hogarty (England) 68 76 73
219 – Karim El Hali (Morocco) 76 69 74
221 – Michael Harradine (Switzerland) 76 69 76
Pic caption: Shaikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of RAK Free Trade Zone, presenting the winner’s trophy to Mohammed Munir as Mohamed JumaBuamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, and Adel Zarouni, vice chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, look at the Tower Links Golf Club on Wednesday
