Dodd digs deep to win Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open

Dubai: The experienced Stephen Dodd dug deep to win the Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open — the fifth and penultimate event on the Mena Golf Tour — at Al Badia Golf Club on Wednesday.

Starting the final round one shot behind, the three-time winner on the European Tour closed with a 69 to go 11-under for the tournament, winning the title — his first since the 2011 Welsh National PGA Championship — by two shots from English duo Zane Scotland and Martin LeMesurier.

Overnight leader Mohammad Munir of Pakistan stumbled to a disappointing 75, finishing tied for fourth at six-under along with Sebastian Heisele (Germany), Fredrik Quicker (Sweden) and Lindsay Renolds.

England’s Max Williams, who put together rounds of 72, 69 and 71, emerged as the leading amateur on four-under 212, five strokes clear of Morocco’s Mustapha Al Maouas and Peter Stagonavski of Macedonia.

The 46-year-old Dodd, who dropped shots on the first and third holes, needed to overcome what he called a “tricky start” with three birdies in a row, starting from the 13th.

Patience was key

“Patience was the key out there. I managed to hole some great putts when I needed to and that made all the difference,” Dodd said after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for $9,000 (Dh33,057) from Ebrahim Abdul Malek, secretary-general of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare.

Adel Zarouni, vice chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, and Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, chairman of the Mena Golf Tour, were also present.

Welshman Dodd added: “It feels nice to have a victory under your belt. It will give me a confidence boost going into the European Tour Qualifying School in November.

“Every win is special since all tours these days have many good players. I will try and repeat the feat at next week’s Mena Tour Championship and, hopefully, finish among the top three in the Order of Merit. That’s the immediate goal.”

The top three professionals on the Order of Merit and the leading amateur will receive invitations to the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Pakistan’s Munir, who was aiming for a second successive victory, handed the initiative away with three bogeys in the first three holes and couldn’t recover despite picking up shots on the seventh and 10th.

“I had my chances, but didn’t feel very comfortable with my putter. This is golf, things don’t always go your away,” the Pakistan number three, who won the Ras Al Khaimah Classic last week, said.