Waine wins first title on home ground in the Abu Dhabi uae PGA Open
Home club professional Phil Waine claimed his the Abu Dhabi PGA Open title on a fantastic morning at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Waine, looking to find some form to push his way into the elite Dubai Golf Trophy team, knew this was an excellent opportunity to do so. After a solid front 9 of 9 pars, birdies on the 11th and 15th holes put him firmly in command, only for a late dropped shot on the penultimate hole and a nervy par on the last hole, resulted in a one under par 71.
This matched the score of OOM contender and defending Abu Dhabi PGA Open champion Steven Munro, who finished in the group in front of him, with a round which mixed three birdies and two bogey. Fast starters Alistair Brown (EGC) and David Blackadder (JGE) both faltered on the back nine to leave a two way playoff for the title.
After both players hit excellent tee shots down the 1st playoff hole, both then dumped their approach shots into the greenside bunker. With Munro in an awkward position he could only splash out to ten feet, while Waine hit a great shot to within three feet of the hole. Munro’s putt for par narrowly missed the hole on the right side, to allow Waine an easy putt to secure his first win as a golf professional.
As delighted Waine said “It was great to win my first individual title on the UAE PGA at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, especially after beating Steven Munro in the play-off who has been in excellent form this year. The win also gives me a chance to make the Dubai Trophy Team in May which will be tough as the standard has been excellent this year. Andrew Whittaker and his team have had the course in amazing condition this year and the course was in great condition today. Jack Emerson & Steven Outlaw along with the UAE PGA did a great job in running the event. A special thank you also to all the professionals that came down to Abu Dhabi today and to the UAEPGA Patrons Acuma and IP Global for their continued support throughout the year”.
Third place was shared by Callum Nicoll (TEC), Martyn Hamer and Brendan O’Leary who all finished two shots behind Waine and Munro.
