Abu Dhabi: Amid blustery conditions on his home turf, a near-perfect, four-under par round of 68 earned Ernie Rellon - Abu Dhabi Golf Club's Teaching Professional - a place in the third annual, European PGA Tour sanctioned, Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which runs from January 17-20th.
With 25 UAE PGA registered pros - who all play off scratch handicaps at member golf clubs around the emirates - intent on claiming the solitary Championship berth, Rellon's immaculate round guaranteed him the opportunity to compete for the 'Falcon' trophy.
Thrilled
"I'm so thrilled and excited, I've been dreaming of this since the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship first started in 2006," said Rellon.
"I had a really solid round until my drive on the 17th - it's a 265-yard drive to clear the water, and with the head-long wind, I ended up in the drink and eventually holed out for a double bogey. However, I held some good putts today, some critical distance putts too, and I managed to score six birdies."
With the winner earning the chance to tee-off in an field which includes defending champion Paul Casey, world No 6 Adam Scott and No 7 Padraig Harrington along with Colin Montgomerie, Henrik Stenson, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter, the desire to win was fierce.
Rellon admitted the competition was likely to be even more challenging when the $2million (Dh7.5 million) Championship - an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority - hits the UAE capital in January.
"The field is shaping up and I'd love to be drawn with Adam Scott or Paul Casey - that would be unbelievable. Whoever I'm paired with, I'll just concentrate on playing some good, steady golf in the first two rounds to make sure I last the whole weekend - every pros goal is to still be in with a chance after the cut."
