UAE PGA Patrons' Alliance: Miki's Magic

With a field of 48 of the UAE’s top professional and amateur golfers in the third event of the series, including PGA Order Of Merit champion Richard Sheridan, his amateur equivalent Joel Neale, and former Asian Tour player Simon Dunn, Mirza made his first appearance count.

Birdie blitz

Dunn, now attached to Al Hamra, was second on 71 with Jebel Ali professional Stuart Fee third, a stroke further back.

Dubai Creek’s Mirza was out of the blocks quickly as he began his round at the sixth hole with a birdie, and notched two more on the eighth and ninth holes. A further birdie on the 14th took him clear at four-under par.

After a bogey on the next and a further birdie at 18, Mirza was four under with five to play and despite back-to-back dropped shots on the second and third holes, his 70 proved good enough for the victory.

A delighted Mirza said: “All in all I was very pleased with my round but will need to improve on my putting as I hit 15 greens but took 32 putts.

“I think the UGA Patrons’ Alliance series is a great initiative and would actually love to see it continue throughout the year as it brings together a strong and competitive field of pros and low handicap amateurs and gives them a chance to play with one another.
 

I would like to thank the staff at Al Badia for their hospitality and having the course set up in such great condition. “And last but not least, a special note to Stephen Hubner, who has helped me a great deal over the past month in improving my game and getting me back to swinging with simplicity and confidence.”

The next event is at The Mont­gomerie, Dubai, on Thursday, September 3.