Yasin Ali (Pro NAS) and Home Club captain Steve Kelly (TMD) won the professional and amateur titles, respectively, in the 36-hole Jaguar Men's Open played over The Montgomerie Dubai yesterday.

On an idyllic day set up for good scoring for good golf, 70 players, including 11 professionals, competed over the 7177 yards par 72 full length course from the Black Pearl Tee Course in this walking format tournament.

In the professional division, Ali, joint first-round leader on 2 under par, was joined on the top of the leader board after 27 holes by playing partner Ross Bain (EGC) who went out in one under 35 to Ali's level 36.

However, an eagle birdie stretch on holes 14 and 15 almost driving the green on the latter with a drive in excess of 320 yards saw Ali 4 ahead with 3 to play.

Ali played the last three in level par to take the title, his first of the season, by four shots from professional runner-up Ross Bain (EGC). Fellow joint first-round leader Ernie Rellon (Pro - ADGCS) shot a second round 77 to finish 8 shots back of the pro champion in fourth place. The winning pro took home a first prize of Dh5,000 from a total professional purse of Dh10,000 which was contributed by the American Business Council.

In the amateur division, Kelly, joint third after the first round on 76, shot a second round 71 to win by 7 shots from Andy Andrews (DCGYC). In third place was Sebastian Heisele (EGC) on 154 winning on a countback from joint first round leader Raimund Legnar (TDC).

The event serves as a qualifier for both the UAE PGA and UGA men's amateur Order of Merits.

Other notable performances came from UAE National Champion Khalid Yousuf (TMD) who shot a second round 74 to improve on his first round by 10 shots.

The defending champion Simon Dunn (Pro DCGYC) shot a second round 72 for a 2 round total of 146 to finish third in the pro division. The prizes were presented by Stephen Hill, general manager, sales and marketing, Al Tayer Motors.

Results

Professional division: Y. Ali (NAS) 70, 69 139; R. Bain (EGC) 71, 72 143; S. Dunn (DCGYC) 74, 72 146; E. Rellon (ADGCS) 70, 77 147.

Amateur division: S. Kelly (TMD) 76, 71 147; A. Andrews (DCGYC) 79, 75 154; S. Heisele (EGC) 79, 75 154; R. Legnar (EGC) 74, 80 154; D. Varkey (DCGYC) 82, 73 155.