Dubai: An outstanding second-round score of two-under par 70 saw Dino Varkey claim his first Abu Dhabi Golf Club BMW Men's Open title.
Following 36 holes on the National Course stretched to its full length of 7,500 yards, Varkey's level par total of 144 saw him triumph by one stroke from first-round leader Martin Lemesurier.
After the first day Lemesurier's level-par 72 saw him hold a single-stroke lead over Steve Kelly and Finbar Madden with Varkey a further stroke back alongside defending champion Simon Dunn. As the second round unfolded it soon became a battle between Lemesurier and Varkey.
Excellent shots
With Varkey in the clubhouse having set a level par total of 144, Lemesurier stood on the demanding 17th hole two pars to force a play-off. Two fine shots saw Lemesurier find the left edge of the green at 17, but with the hole located behind the right-hand greenside bunker he faced a long putt for birdie. When his birdie putt and subsequent par putt failed to find the bottom of the cup, Varkey had one hand on the trophy.
Now needing to birdie the last to force a play-off, Lemesurier played three excellent shots down the final hole to within 12 feet of the cup. With Varkey watching from behind the green he saw his birdie effort slip agonisingly past the left edge of the hole.
Vikram Judge claimed third place with two consistent rounds of 75 .
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Motors continued its partnership with Abu Dhabi Golf Club with the inaugural staging of the BMW 6-Series Medal in February.
More than 100 Abu Dhabi Golf Club members took to the National Course looking to set the early pace in this six-round Order of Merit event. Donovan Joseph returned the lowest total with a nett score of 66, to stand two strokes clear of Erik Jan Uleman (68) with Mike Massie, Charles Katsuyoshi and Floris Uleman a further two back on nett 70.
