Mikkel Mathiesen wins Faldo Series Middle East golf title

Sport360 staff 03:48 31/03/2016
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  • Champions with Matthew Faldo.

    Mikkel Mathiesen emerged wire-to-wire winner in not just his own category, but also the overall Faldo Series Middle East title at the Emirates Golf Federation-supported tournament in Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club on Wednesday.

    Leading by two shots going into the final round, the Doha Golf Club-based 15-year-old Dane carded his third successive round of two-under par 69, this time a bogey-free effort. His six-under par total helped him take the overall crown by an impressive six-shot margin and the Under-16 division by seven shots.

    Mathiesen’s Doha-based compatriot Jakub Hrinda also shot a 69 to finish second in the U-16 category and third overall at 214.

    Dubai-based Swede Christofer Rahm was runner-up overall, but won the Under-18 division. His final-round 73 gave him a three-day total of even-par 213, which was three shots better than Dubai Creek’s Rayhan Thomas.

    “Today was much calmer,” Mathiesen said after the round. “I have not played as well as I did the first two days, but thankfully scrambled well, especially on the back nine.

    “It was great to finish with a birdie at the last to secure my victory. I am looking forward to going to the Faldo Grand Final. It’s an exciting opportunity to compete at the highest level as well as learning from Sir Nick Faldo himself.”

    Rahm said: “You could feel the pressure between us out there today with the big prize up for grabs. This caused us to make a few more errors than we had done in the first few days.

    “I was happy with the way I battled and finally started to hit fair- ways and greens which was the difference in the end. It’s a huge tournament to win, and now I can look forward to the rest of the season and the Final.”

    Ryan Hunter secured his place in the Grand Final by winning the Under-21 championship. The Yas Links member scored rounds of 74, 71 and 74 to win by three.

    Last year’s Under-18 winner Kim Chiang retained her title. Leading from day one, she was pushed hard by Sahana Paravantavida, but a strong finish meant she lifted the trophy by five shots.

    “The conditions this year have been very tough. Last year’s experience has helped me through,” said Chiang.

    The Under 21s girls tournament saw the biggest turnaround of the day with Scotland’s Dubai-based Alison Muirhead producing a brilliant even-par round, including an eagle two on the par-4 14th hole, to win the division by two shots.

    She started the day trailing by four shots against Doha’s Laila Hrindova, who shot a 77 on Wednesday.

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