Dubai: Carlos Balmaseda eagled the third extra hole to win the Golf Citizen Classic for his maiden victory on the Mena Golf Tour at the Els Club in Dubai on Wednesday.
The 44-year-old Spaniard produced a spectacular approach to hit the green in two at the par-5, 18th and holed the ensuing 18-foot putt, beating England’s Luke Joy, who had eagled the same hole in regulation to force a playoff at six-under.
Both players birdied the first two extra holes to extend play, but the Spaniard, who closed with a 70, atoned for his bogey-bogey finish in regulation with a solid putt in a nerve-racking finish.
India’s Rayhan Thomas carded a 71 after making the turn at two over to finish in a tie for third at five under alongside Max Williams of England, Antonio Costa of Chile and the Swedish duo of Fredrik Lindblom and Per Barth.
“I am absolutely delighted. It feels special to win one for the family as I am one of the Mena Golf Tour’s ambassadors,” said Balmaseda.
“I took a relaxed attribute into the play-off and that paid off. Of the seven play-offs that I have played in my professional career, I have won six. So, the confidence was there.
“Luke is a great player and I needed to focus hard,” added Balmaseda, who also boasts two runner-up finishes on tour.
England’s Joy, who closed with a 71, felt he had his chances but didn’t play great on the front nine he covered in two over par. “It was nice to finish with an eagle and force playoff. I think it’s time I start winning the trophies again. I am knocking on the door and hope it will open soon,” said Joy, a two-time winner on the tour.
Thomas took the leading amateur honours while the Moroccan duo of Faycal Serghini and Ahmed Marjan shared the leading Mena Division professional award after the two finished level on one-under-par for the tournament.
Othman Al Mullah emerged as the region’s leading amateur for the second time in a row when he carded a final round 73 for a seven-over 223 total, beating his nearest challenger and compatriot Saud Al Sharif by one shot with Khaled Attieh settling for third a further stroke adrift.
