Ras Al Khaimah: Zane Scotland rode on a blistering performance on the back nine to win the Mena Golf Tour’s Ras Al Khaimah Classic on Wednesday.
Five shots off the pace overnight, the Englishman made the turn at 2-over, but exploded on the final stretch, reeling off six birdies without dropping a shot to close with a 67 for a total of nine-under par 207, one ahead of Scotland’s David Law.
First round leader Tyler Hogarty of South Africa, Adreas Finn of Sweden and England’s Ian Keenan shared third place on seven-under 209.
Welsh ace Stephen Dodd, who carded a final round 67, settled for a tie in sixth along with South Africa’s M.G. Keyser and England’s Craig Hinton.
England’s James Yeomans emerged the best amateur on one-over 217, two ahead of his compatriot James Allan and three of Morocco’s Mustafa Al Maouas.
But it was Scotland who provided the major twist to the script, coming from behind to win his fourth title this season and sixth overall since the inception of the Mena Golf Tour in 2011.
“I surprised myself with the result,” Scotland said after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for $9,000 (Dh33,052) from Shaikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi.
“I played pretty aggressively on the back nine and count myself lucky for holing some clutch putts. I took a big risk on the closing 18th hole, hitting my approach from behind the trees. Luckily it landed on the green and I two-putted for a birdie, which, in the end, made the difference,” said the Englishman, who has now taken his earnings from the first six events on the tour to $45,000.
Scotland’s Law had his chance to force a play-off, but missed a three-footer for a birdie on the final hole.
South Africa’s Hogarty, who led the field at nine-under after the 16th hole on Wednesday, received a two-shot penalty for an incorrect drop from a hazard on the 17th resulting in a triple bogey.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Hamza Ameen hit a seven-under 65 in the final round, which matched Hogarty’s first-round effort and vaulted him to five-under for a share of ninth.
“I am really proud of my effort today. I drove well and smashed my iron close to the pins. In short, everything clicked,” said Ameen, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Tuesday.
“I hit 17 greens and made the longest birdie putt on the sixth when I holed out from 15 feet. But twice I three-putted and they were the only blemishes on the card.”
Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, Adel Zarouni, vice-chairman of the federation, and Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, chairman of the Mena Golf Tour, were also at the presentation ceremony.
The Mena Golf Tour next travels to the UAE capital next week for the Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open, starting on Monday.
