Dubai: Miki Mirza staved off a determined challenge from Michael Harradine to win the Emirates Golf Federation's Order of Merit title, thus becoming the first golfer to successfully defend his crown.

The talented Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht prodigy, who plays off an impressive plus two handicap, posted a strong third place finish with a gross 36-hole total of 146 in the season-ending Montgomerie Dubai Open to take his tally to 225.5 points, beating a charging Harradine to second place by just seven points.

Emirates Golf Club's Harradine did fare better than Mirza at the Montgomerie Open, racking in a creditable second on a gross 143, but it was not enough to prevent Mirza from walking away with the honours.

The season-long Order of Merit race, which teed off with the Shaikh Rashid Trophy, featured 12 events and points were awarded to top players on the bases of their performances in each tournament.

This season's race produced an intense battle for the title and it went down to the last event to decide the winner. Harradine had seized the early initiative by winning the prestigious Shaikh Rashid Trophy, but Mirza fought back with a string of steady performances to change to the script.

Impressive victories at Al Ain and Yas Links highlighted Mirza's season, and the 29-year-old Canadian is now looking forward to the forthcoming Mena Golf Tour to showcase his skills.

"It feels great to win the Order of Merit title again, but it wasn't easy this time around. Players like Michael kept up the pressure and I needed to be at the top of my game.

"I have already signed up for the Mena Tour which will provide a great opportunity to further develop our golfing skills," he said.

UAE national golfers also made their presence felt with Abdullah Al Musharrekh (fourth) and Khalid Yousuf (sixth) finishing among top 10 golfers. The fact that UAE nationals are up there with the best in business shows speaks volume of the rising standard of their game.

EGF ORDER OF MERIT (TOP-10).

1.Miki Mirza (DCGYC) 225.5 points

2. Michael Harradine (EGC) 218.5

3. Joel Neale (EGC) 155

4. Abdulla Al Musharrekh (EGF) 148

5. Paul King (DCGYC) 117

6. Khalid Yousuf (EGC) 114.5

7. Daniel Hendry (EGC) 110

8. Alex Charawani (AGGC) 95

9. Khalid Attieh (ARGC) 86

10. Brett Armstrong (ABGC) 85.