Gaughan wins Emirates UAE PGA Championships at Jumeirah Golf Estates

Dubai: Louis Gaughan (Dubai Hills GC) shot a second round of 68 for a 36-hole total of 139 to win the 2023 Emirates UAE PGA Championships at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai.

Gaughan 29 years-old, shot a first round of one under par 71 over the Fire course yesterday (Monday) to be two shots back of the first round leader Jackson Bell (Jumeirah Golf Estates).

Gaughan opened up his second round with six pars on the Earth course, eagled hole seven playing all of its 513 yards, and birdied holes nine and ten.

A further birdie on hole 13, followed by six pars saw him home and dry with two nines of 34 for a one stroke victory from Graham Forbes (CH3 Performance Institute).

Birdie chances

He has been attached to Dubai Hills Golf Club for six months and prior to that was at Jumeirah Golf Estates for 2 ½ years.

Gaughan said on concluding his round, “I hit the ball really well and gave myself plenty of birdie chances, especially today. I was in the penultimate group today and I like to keep track of where I stand in the tournament on the Golf Genuis App. I knew I was leading with a few holes to play, and two ahead playing the last. Graham birdied the last.”

Best score of the second day was by Forbes who had a second round of 68, with six birdies, four on the front nine and two on the back nine to go with his first round of 72.

Originally from Scotland Gaughan won the Paul Lawrie Par 3 Tournament a few years back as well as a few PGA of Scotland events.

Winning the Emirates UAE PGA Championships gives Gaughan an Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) invite to play in the $300,000 Abu Dhabi Challenge on the Challenge Tour to be held next week at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Thursday 27th – Sunday 30th April over the National Course.

Time off

Talking about the Challenge Tour invite he said, “It was never really a target or in my thoughts. I am looking forward to next week and see if my boss will give me a little time off for at least a practice round. I always try and play once or twice a week during the season. I will definitely practice a bit more before next Thursday. I have played the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club a few times in Emirates UAE PGA events. I have just seen the published entries for the event and it will be good to catch-up with a few friends who are also playing, including Stephen Gallacher, who comes from Bathgate Golf Club, the same golf club that I grew up at.”

Stephen Wilson, Golf Operations Manager, Jumeirah Golf Estates, said at the conclusion of the presentation, “Thanks to the Emirates UAE PGA for inviting Jumeirah Golf Estates to host this prestigious event on the UAE golfing calendar. Both our golf courses are in excellent condition. It was a challenging, but fair set-up with today’s course a combination of both Green and Blue Tees playing at 7,127 yards. We congratulate Louis and all the leading players for their excellent golf.”

Results (7,127 Yards. Par 72).

L. Gaughan (Dubai Hills Golf Club) 71. 68. 139.

G. Forbes (CH3 Performance Institute) 72. 68. 140.

T. Ogilvie (Dubai Creek) 70. 72. 142.

S. Singh (CH3 Performance Institute) 70. 74. 144.

J. Bell (JGE) 69. 77. 146.

J. Lompech (Abu Dhabi Golf Club) 70. 77. 147.

T. Buchanan (Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club) 71. 77. 148.

J. Woods (Dubai Hills GC) 73. 75. 148.