Scotland does the Dubai Double winning the Mena Golf Tour Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open
Zane Scotland held his nerve to hold off a late charge by Scotland’s David Law and win the MENA Golf Tour’s Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open.
Two behind overnight, the Englishman closed with a bogey-free 67 to reach 13-under at Al Badia Golf Club, beating Law by two shots for his third win on the tour this season and fifth overall.
England’s William Harrold and Roland Steiner were tied for third on a 10-under 206 as overnight leader Jake Shepherd suffered a heartbreaking collapse with a double bogey-bogey finish, slipping to solo fifth on a nine-under 207.
“It feels great to win another title on the tour. I tried to stay focused on my game and not force things. It worked out well for me in the end,” said Scotland after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for $9,000 from Adel Zarouni, vice-chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, and James Shippey, general manager of Al Badia Golf Club, were also present at the presentation ceremony.
“I didn’t drop a shot today – and that was the key. The intention now is to try and keep the momentum going in the remaining events on the tour, said Scotland, who is also a ‘golf in DUBAi’ ambassador.
“There are plenty of good players on the tour and so that is really an incentive to do your best,” added Scotland, who has taken his earning from the first five events on the tour to $36,000.
Scotland’s Law, who made the turn at four-under, led the field by one after the 11th, but bogeyed the 13th and the 17th to squander the advantage.
Overnight leader Shepherd dropped three shots on his last two holes in a total collapse, evoking memories of his stunning implosion at the 2011 Ras Al Khaimah Classic when he blew a massive five-shot lead on the final day.
“I messed it up big time,” said Shepherd, the winner of the MENA Tour Championship in 2011. “I had it in my hands with two to go. What can I say? I am really very disappointed. I played so good in the first two rounds, but couldn’t get the job done,” said the 23-year-old Englishman who closed with a 73.
Morocco’s Mustapha El Maouas made a move on final day with a three-under 69 to finish at level par, three shots behind England’s James Allan, who emerged the top amateur in the field with rounds of 73, 70 and 73.
Elsewhere, Welsh ace Stephen Dodd carded a final round 66 to finish tied eighth on eight-under along with England’s Joshua White, who closed with a 65, the best round of the day.
The tour travels to northern emirates next week for the Ras Al Khaimah Classic, starting on Monday.
Leading scores after final round (Par 72):
Professionals:
203 – Zane Scotland (England) 65 71, 67
205 – David Law (Scotland) 66, 70 69
206 – William Harrold (England) 68, 69, 69, Roland Steiner (Austria) 68, 68, 70
207 – Jake Shepherd (England) 65, 69, 73
208 – Stephen Dodd (Wales) 72, 70, 66; Joshua White (England) 68, 75, 65
209 – Chris Hanson (England) 70, 70, 69; Stuart Archibald (England) 73, 69, 67
210 – Sebastian Heisele (Germany) 71, 69, 70; Tyler Hogarty (South Africa) 70, 68, 72; Hamza Amin (Pakistan) 67, 72, 71; Scott Ferguson (Zimbabwe) 70, 71, 69
Amateurs:
213 – James Allan (England) 73 70 70
216 – Mustapha El Maouas (Morocco) 74 73 69
217 – Peter Stojanovski (Switzerland) 71 73 73
218 – Amin El Malki (Morocco) 71 73 74
220 – Ahmed Marjane (Morocco) 72 71 77
221 – Rayhan Thomas (India) 73 76 72
Pic caption: England’s Zane Scotland receiving the winner’s trophy from Adel Zarouni, vice chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, as Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, and James Shippey, general manager of Al Badia Golf Club, look on
