Dubai: Daniel Hendry produced the round of his life matching the course record to win the Shaikh Rashid Trophy at Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa yesterday.
The young Scot from the Emirates Golf Club fired a bogey-free 69 to record a three under 213 for the 54-hole strokeplay event organised by the Emirates Golf Federation, beating his nearest challenger and defending champion Michael Harradine by four shots to record the biggest win of his short career.
Hendry's playing partner Craig Marchbank, also of Scotland, finished third on a gross 220 after signing off with a disappointing 77 while Emirates Golf Federation's Order of Merit winner Miki Mirza settled for fourth on 223, just one shot ahead of his fellow Dubai Creek member Dino Varkey.
It was 17-year-old Hendry who dominated the proceedings with a flawless performance, his 69 equalling the course record set by Bahrain's Nasser Yacoob during the 1999 GCC championship at the Peter Harradine-designed course.
‘Icing on the cake'
"I am really delighted with my overall performance during the tournament. This is the first time I have shot a bogey-free round and that's kind of icing on the cake," said Hendry after receiving the winner's trophy from Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the EGF.
"I thoroughly enjoyed playing on this course which was in great condition. I was pretty nervous at the start, but a steady par calmed my nerves and thereafter things fell in places. I made some solid pars besides those three birdies."
Scores
- 1: Daniel Hendry 213 (70 74 69)
- 2. Michael Harradine 217 (73 70 74)
- 3. Craig Marchbank 220 (73 70 77)
- 4. Miki Mirza 223 (73 75 75)
- 5. Dino Varkey 224 countback (72 78 74)