Tufail in successful title defence

Dubai: Fifteen-year-old Yas Links golfing prodigy Sana Tufail continued her Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Ladies Order of Merit Title charge by retaining the Dufry Ladies Amateur Open at Sharjah Club last weekend.

Tufail hit a solid 74 gross to take the title by two shots, setting a new ladies course record. It was the British School Al Khubairat student's second ladies title in the space of seven days, after she also retained the Ras Al Khaimah Ladies Open last week.

The Abu Dhabi resident has now won five consecutive EGF ladies opens this season.

Playing off a handicap of +1.4, Tufail's near perfect front nine was marred by a bogey on the fourth, resulting in a 37 at the turn.

Windy conditions

But when the wind picked up on the tenth hole, it changed the course conditions entirely, requiring skills more suited to a windy links golf course.

Tufail adapted admirably, maintaining overall par over the next eight holes until a bogey on the 18th left her with an overall gross 74.

Tufail continues to lead both the gross and nett tables of the Emirates Golf Federation Ladies Order of Merit, having won five out of six events so far this season with five events remaining.

Youngsters continued to be amongst the trophies with 15-year-old Kevita Sehmi taking gross runner up with a fine 76 and 12-year-old Anastasia Bakal taking third with a gross 82.

Amongst the nett prizes, Julia Al Hamoud and Aashaka Desai, both 12 years old, took honours in Division A and Division B, respectively, their victories boding well for the future of junior girl's golf in the region.