Neale Defends Black Tee Challenge Title

Joel Neale birdied the third play-off hole to clinch back-to-back titles in the Emirates Black Tee Challenge sponsored by Gulf News.

The defending champion posted a level par 73 in round one over the Faldo course to take a two shot lead into the final round over his closest rivals Ed Hesson and Ahmed Al Musharrekh.
Despite a level par outward nine, Neale was struggling to hold on to the lead as Nick Brewaeys posted four birdies in his opening 13 holes over the Majlis to get to level par for the championship. Unfortunately a lost ball on the par five 18th resulted in a bogey six and a final round 68 to post the clubhouse lead of 145, level par. Hesson’s challenge ended on the 3rd hole following a disastrous quadruple bogey on the 3rd.

Neale and Ahmed Al Musharrrekh played some great golf on the back nine to force a 3-way play off with Brewaeys on a 145 tally. The trio recorded par fours on the 332-yard 17th hole taking them to the famous finishing hole, the par-5 18th. Brewaeys found tree trouble again on the left of the hole to suffer a bogey six, Neale and Musharrekh couldn’t be separated both paring the hole. The third extra hole, the 17th, produced a great drive from Neale finishing 20 yards short of the green. Musharrekh matched Neale’s approach shot but it was Neale who clinched the title with a birdie three.
Gross
1st    Joel Neale (EGC)             73 & 72     145
2nd    Nick Brewaeys (EGC)            77 & 68        145
3rd    Ahmed Al Musharrekh (Dubai Creek)    75 & 70        146
Nett
1st    Greg Mann                70 & 72     142
2nd    Ed Hesson (EGC)            69 & 73     142
3rd     Ivan Lawson (Emirates Golf Federation)    76 & 69     145
Gross Daily
Best Gross Day 1    Tom Green (EGC)        77
Best Gross Day 2    Mike Mirza (DCGYC)        72
Nett Daily
Best Nett Day 1        Paul Woutersen (EGC)        72
Best Nett Day 2        Pentti Tahvanainen (EGC)    71