Marsh prevails to win in Muscat

Muscat: Nick Marsh overcame a sensational final-round charge by Robin Roussel with an equally fantastic finish that saw him play the last five holes of Ghala Golf Club in five-under par and win the Mena Tour by Arena event by two shots on Wednesday.

Frenchman Roussel, starting the day four shots behind the champion, shot a course-record nine-under par 63 and had caught up with England’s Marsh with four holes to play.

Marsh, who closed with a 65, was on the 14th hole at that point and unaware of Roussel’s score. The 24-year-old, who was ranked as high as 14 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking before turning pro, then made birdies on the 14th, 15th and 18th, but the killer blow was an eagle on the par-5 16th.

“It was fantastic. I just went there with a good mindset and a good game plan and stuck to it. I was five-under through the last five holes, which was very pleasing because the wind did get up in the afternoon,” said Marsh. “I had no idea what Robin was doing in front of us. I just love this golf course. I need to wrap it up and take it with me everywhere.”