Dubai: Zane Scotland on Wednesday birdied the last hole to win the Mena Golf Tour’s Dubai Creek Open, becoming the first player to successfully defend a tour event.
Starting the final day one shot off the pace, the Englishman closed with a four under par 67 to reach seven under 206, beating Trevor Marshall, the overnight leader from New Zealand, by a shot, as English amateur Max Williams bogeyed the last to finish third on five under.
“It feels great to defend the title. I think I played pretty tidy golf all days. Trevor and Max kept up the pressure most of the day, but I managed to pull it through on a course where I always feel at home,” said Scotland, who received a winner’s cheque for $9,000 (Dh33,057).
Scotland, who won the inaugural Dubai Creek Open by two shots from Wales’ Stephen Dodd last year, eased into title contention with back-to-back birdies on the third and fourth holes before reaching the turn in two under 33.
He kept the momentum rolling all the way through, picking up the crucial birdie on the last to finish with a flourish and land his fourth trophy on the tour. His playing partner Marshall also picked up a shot on the last to beat Williams to third place.
Williams, however, had the consolation of topping his amateur division with sub-par rounds of 70, 70 and 68 for a five under total of 208, a staggering 11 shots of ahead of Michael Harradine of Switzerland.
Marshall, who carded a two under 69 in the final round, felt he had his chances but missed crucial putts early in his round and that proved decisive in the end. “I started the day one ahead and finished one back — not bad at all. That’s all part of golf. To be honest I have no regrets losing to Zane — a classy player,” said the New Zealander.
