Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic: Collin Morikawa leads Slync.io 2 team to Pro-Am crown

Dubai: Reigning Race to Dubai champion Collin Morikawa (US) led the Slync.io 2 team of Mike Bevill, Jim Batjer and US Walker Cup star Trip Kuehne to glory with an impressive -33 score, three shots better than Adam Scott’s EGA 6 team which featured Jake Skelton, Maurizio La Noce and Matt Ida to land the Pro-Am event of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic on Wednesday.

The format of the Pro-Am was ‘Shambles’ with the best drive of the day being chosen from the team of four players and then each player holes out from this position with his own ball.

The Pro-Am also saw an assortment of English Premier League footballers and Formula One drivers join scores of amateurs playing over the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, two regular England international teammates, joined compatriot Lee Westwood in a glamour group, with Pickford admitting he found the round a more nerve-wracking prospect than keeping goal for his country.

‘‘I loved it really. Even though I play in front of 40,000 people every week, I’m out of my comfort zone here – it was a bit nerve-wracking,” said the Goodison Park custodian, before joking: “Normally, my handicap is eight but I think I played off about 28 today. I thoroughly enjoyed it though and I learned a lot playing with a top professional like Westy. I’ve not played many courses abroad, so this was an amazing opportunity.’

England teammate Maguire, who plays off a six handicap, was delighted to interrupt a mid-season break from club football with his first Pro-Am appearance. ‘‘I enjoyed it, the course is amazing and to get the chance to play with Lee and score a few birdies was great. We’ve been looked after really well, it has been a lovely day overall,’’ said the Manchester United captain.

Elsewhere, Formula One sensation Lando Norris also swapped the high-octane thrills and spills of the F1 cockpit for the Majlis Course fairways. The 22-year-old McLaren star, taking part in his first ever Pro-Am event, teed off in a group with Austrian Pro Bernd Wiesberger and admitted to being a bundle of nerves.

‘‘The course was incredible, and it was great to play with Bernd. It is very interesting to watch a professional at the top of his game in a different sport, to see his approach and his mentality, especially when I am at the bottom level of his sport! It was lovely to get some time away from the cold of the UK, and great to relax as I will be straight back to work when I go home.’

Results

Slync.io 2: Collin Morikawa (US), Trip Kuehne, Mike Bevill, Jim Batjer – 33.

EGA 6: (Adam Scott (Aus), Jake Skeltonm, Maurizio La Noce, Matt Ida – 30.

EGA 1: Padraig Harrington (Ire), Luca Ceccato, Giancarlo Alberti, Torchiani Renzo - 30.

Slync.io 12: Paul Casey (Eng), Mitchell Tweedie, Nick Mullen, Mike Kaye - 27.

EGA 5: Sean Crocker (US), Bob Cravens, Jansen Gebhard, Alberto Bertoli - 25.

Slync.io 11: Sam Horsfield (Eng), Jaime Reints, Rajan Patel, Jonathan Phillips - 23.