Dubai: Christofer Blomstrand led from start to finish to win the inaugural Muscat Hills Golf Citizen Championship, making a significant impact on his debut at the Mena Golf Tour on Wednesday.
Two shots in front overnight, the 23-year-old Swede had the luxury of bogeying the final hole and still winning the tournament by one shot on 11-under after his nearest challenger from Germany, Julian Kunzenbacher, agonisingly missed a 16-footer for birdie.
Spain’s Xavier Puig fired a course record 66 to finish third on eight under, one ahead of Morocco’s Younus Al Hassani, Ryan Smith of Australia and Per Barth of Sweden.
Blomstrand never relinquished his overnight lead and made putts when required to complete a brilliant win, his second since turning professional three years ago.
“It feels just incredible to win here. I had a great week. Every part of my game fell into place, which was good,” said Blomstrand after receiving the winner’s trophy from Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, Chairman of the Mena Golf Tour, and Ray Stopforth, Director of Golf at Muscat Hills and Country Club.
“I never really felt threatened and played my own game. I could smell the victory when I birdied the 16th. Standing on the 18th, I had a two-shot lead. Though I three putted, it was still good enough to get the job done,” said the Swede, who shot a final round 70.
“The victory has given me a good energy boost ahead of the second stage of the European Tour qualifier.”
Germany’s Kunzenbacher went for broke in the last two holes. The aggressive approach worked well on the 16th, where he picked up a shot, but he missed his birdie bid at the last, which would have forced a play-off.
“I think I had my chances, but Christofer played brilliantly and deserved to win. Whenever I made a birdie, he was quick to respond. There was nothing much I could do. In the end, I lost to a well-deserved winner,” said the 22-year-old German, who closed with a 69.
Earlier, Australia’s Matthew Scarfone matched the day’s best score of a 66, eclipsing the previous course record held by Spain’s Sergio Garcia, to reach eight-under for a share of eighth.
Morocco’s Al Hassani closed with a 71 to win the Mena Division on seven-under, four clear of second-placed Amine Joudar as Amine Al Malki, also of Morocco, carded a 69 to join another compatriot Ayoub Lguirati and India’s Rayhan Thomas in a three-way tie for the leading amateur award on one-under.
