Jonathan Selvaraj (Trump International GC, Dubai) shot rounds of 74 and 71, a one over par two day score of 145, to win the 36 hole Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Men’s Open today (Sunday).
The event was a qualifier for the 2022 – 2023 Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Men’s Order of Merit. Selvaraj recently won the Elite Invitational Division played alongside the EGF’s 2023 UAE Presidents Cup, held down the road at Abu Dhabi Golf Club over the National Course.
Selvaraj, playing off a +6.3 handicap, was four shots behind first round leader Rami Samawi (The Els Club) at the start of the day, Selvaraj shooting a five birdie 74 against Samawi’s 70 yesterday (Saturday).
Playing in the penultimate group of the day, Selvaraj went to the turn in one under par 35, and with further birdies on holes 11 and 15, and bogeys on holes 14 and 18 he come home matching par with a back nine of 36, for a one under par round of 71 and a one stroke victory from Samawi.
Samawi was out in 38 to still hold onto the lead by one shot after 27 holes, but four bogeys, including on 16 and 18, and two birdies on 11 and 15, saw him finish one back of the champion.
Leading local club player representing Saadiyat Beach Golf Club was Sasi Nathan with rounds of 74 and 76 to finish on 150 and in tied ninth place.
Defending champion Jay Mullane (JGE), winner of The Els Club Men’s Open last weekend improved on his first round 80 by eight shots with a level par 72 to finish in 11th place.
In the Net Division, dominated by Saadiyat Golf Club players, Subhash Bhatia, (SBGC) playing off a 15.2 handicap and receiving 20 shots, shot 141 with rounds of 72 and 69, followed by fellow member Amir Rehman (14.4 H’cap and receiving 19 shots, SBGC) 66 – 75. Third net place went to Jerome Martin (SBGC) on 142, 74 – 68 (10.2 H’cap receiving 15 shots).
The next event on the 2022 – 2023 EGF Men’s Order of Merit is the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Men’s Open, Friday 17th – Sunday 19th March, a 54 hole event, and a World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR Men’s) event supported by the R&A.
Final Results (7,052 Yards, Par 72)
1 - J. Selvaraj (Trump International) 74, 71 = 145
2 - R. Samawi (The Els Club) 70, 76 = 146
3 - D. Byrne (The Els Club) 77, 70 = 147
- S. Mullane (JGE) 73, 74 = 147
- J. Jones (England) 75, 72 = 147
6 - D. Kirkwood (Yas Links Abu Dhabi) 74, 74 = 148
