William Harrold birdied the closing hole to see off a determined challenge from Stephen Dodd and win the MENA Tour Championship at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
The two overnight joint leaders went head-to-head till the penultimate 53rd hole, and just when the prospect of a play-off loomed, the Englishman held his nerve to sink a tricky 20-foot birdie putt, sealing a well-deserved victory – his first since turning professional in February earlier this year.
The 24-year-old prodigy closed with a 67 to end at an impressive 17-under, one ahead of Dodd and two off Scotland’s Duncan Stewart, who set a new course with a final round 63, matching Zane Scotland’s feat recorded earlier in the day.
Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour, may have narrowly missed on winning the Tour Championship, but claimed the coveted title of MENA Golf Tour No.1.
The 46-year-old Welshman topped the Order of Merit standings with $27,636 (Dh101,424) in earnings from five events he played on the six-event tour, ahead of Scotland ($25,697) and Harrold ($20,455).
The top three in the standings will receive golden tickets to the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic along with Max Williams, who emerged as the leading Amateur.
“I think I have achieved everything I wanted to from this Tour. I have some great memories of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and it will be fun to return to a venue where I finished second (to Ernie Els) in 2005,” said Dodd after receiving his trophy.
Harrold was excited with his work this week. “This win will always be special since it’s my first as a professional,” said the Englishman from Norfolk,” he said.
“Playing in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic will be just awesome. I think every player here wanted to play there. Getting a Classic spot is easily the best thing that happened to me.”
* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.
