Casablanca: Spanish rookie Leo Lilja beat England’s Luke Joy in a play-off to win the Mena Tour’s season-opening Palmeraie Country Club Casablanca Open on Thursday.
Playing in his first event on tour after graduating from qualifying school, the Spaniard shot a bogey-free 68 to set a clubhouse target of eight-under, which only Joy could match.
He then birdied the par-five 17th on the sixth extra hole, to complete the longest-ever play-off in the tour’s history.
“I’m really very happy,” he said. “ I can’t believe I’ve won on my first event on tour, it feels so surreal.
“I played really solid and holed many good putts, which was key.”
England’s Joy, a two-time winner on tour, settled for second one shot ahead of his compatriot and overnight leader Lee Corfield, who closed with a one-over 72.
Morocco’s Younes El Hassani finished fourth along with Scotland’s Jack McDonald after a final round 70.
On six under par, El Hassani, won the Mena division by two shots.
Elsewhere, Holland’s Pierre Junior Verlaar, won the amateur division on one under, seven shots clear of England’s Todd Clements.
The Mena Tour now travels to Mohammedia on the west coast of Morocco, for the Royal Golf Mohammedia Open at Royal Golf D’Anfa, on March 19.
Joy in particular will be looking to make amends in Mohammedia after missing out in Casablanca.
“I can’t say I’m not frustrated not to get over the line last week,” he said. “But the game is progressing nicely and I need to keep pushing forward and keep improving,”
