Jay Mullane (Jumeirah Golf Estates) shot a second round 72 for a two round total of 143 to win The Els Club Men’s Open supported by Caesars Palace Dubai.
Jay, 21 years old, having lived in Dubai for 18 years, began the day with a one shot lead after round one of 71 yesterday (Saturday). After dropping a shot on hole two along with eight pars he was out in 37. Another bogey on hole 12, was followed by a brilliant birdie – birdie – bogey and birdie finish for a one under back nine of 35 and a total of 72, one under par for two rounds.
Jay, coached by Jason Froggatt, who is based in Nottingham, plays off a +5 handicap, said on completing his round, ‘I played OK but it was a bit scrappy early in the round. I kept my lead after nine holes, and made an untidy bogey on hole 12. I then chipped in on hole 15, which got me level at the top of the leaderboard and I holed a nice 15 footer on 16 to go one ahead and then after missing a shortish putt on 17, birdied the last to win by two shots. I am pleased with the win. I won the 2022 Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Men’s Open and I look forward to defending that title next week.’
His nearest challenger was Anders Axelsson (The Els Club) who had rounds of 73 and 72 to finish on 145.
This 36 hole strokeplay event is the 13th of 17 qualifying events for the 2022 – 2023 Men’s Gross Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Order of Merit.
The 36 hole Net Division was won by Vivaan Chhibber (JGE), playing off a seven handicap, who had rounds of 73 and 67, the second round a joint best net of the tournament where he shot a gross 74.
Tom Rourke, GM at The Els Club, said, ‘Congratulations to Jay and all the winners. We have seen some good golf over the weekend, but once again the golf course has tested the best men amateurs in the UAE and some from overseas. Only Jay was under par for the tournament and our thanks go to our sponsors Caesars Palace, Dubai for their support of this event and other club initiatives here at The Els Club.’
The next EGF Men’s Order of Merit event is the 2023 Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Men’s Open in Abu Dhabi to be held Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th March.
The Els Club Men’s Open (Par 72, Blue Tee course)
Gross Division
1 - J. Mullane (JGE) 71, 72 = 143 (-1)
2 - A. Axelsson (The Els Club) 73, 72 = 145 (+1)
3 - O. Craig (The Els Club) 75, 72 = 147 (+3)
Net Division
1 - V. Chhibber (JGE) 73, 67 = 140 (-4)
2 - D. Wong (The Els Club) 74, 69 = 143 (-1)
- G. Larsson (The Els Club) 71, 72 = 143 (-1)
