Campbell takes MENA Championship as Thriston Lawrence tops standings

Sport360 staff 07:26 12/11/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Winners: Campbell (l) and Lawrence (c).

    Scott Campbell won the battle but Thriston Lawrence prevailed in the war as the 2015 season of the MENA Golf Tour came to a thrilling climax at the MENA Golf Tour Championship in Al Ain on Wednesday.

    England’s Campbell closed with a two-under 69 to finish 15-under and claim his first win since turning professional in 2012, while South African teen talent Lawrence landed the Order of Merit.

    Starting the day one shot in front, Campbell held his nerve in windy conditions to beat South Africa’s Tyler Hogarty, who returned a 65 – the day’s best score – and England’s Craig Hinton to joint runner-up place at 13-under par 200.

    Campbell, a 24-year-old from Sheffield, said: “I am delighted to get the job done in tough conditions. I just concentrated on my game and holed some nice putts.

    “The birdie on the 10th was especially crucial as it helped retain the lead. I managed to control the proceedings thereafter and played some solid golf coming home.

    “Before playing on the tour, I took some lessons from my coach (Pete Cowen) and that lifted my confidence,” added the Englishman, who enjoyed a two-shot cushion standing on the 18th tee.

    Playing partner Hinton had his chances, especially when leading by one shot at the turn, but saw a couple of putts lip out.

    “I think I played okay and it’s just that some of the putts refused to go in,” said the Englishman. “I bogeyed the 10th which gave Scott a two-shot swing and that, in the end, made the difference.”

    Lawrence, 18, carded a 70 to finish in a tie for sixth on six-under which was good enough for him to win the Order of Merit with $27,679 in earnings during the season, ahead of Gabriel Canizares of Spain.

    Lawrence and Canizares, along with Scotland’s Paul Doherty, who finished third, earn spots at the 2016 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

    England’s James Allan comfortably kept up his dominance in the Amateur Division, closing with a 70 to end the tournament at 10-under, well ahead of India’s Rayhan Thomas who finished at three-over par.

    Younes El Hassani carded backto-back 70s to win the MENA Division on four-under, two shots ahead of fellow Moroccans Amine Joudar and three clear of Ahmed Marjan.

    Faycal Serghini topped the region’s Order of Merit for the Sheikh Maktoum Golf Foundation award despite finishing at two-over.

    “It feels great to win the award again, but I was nowhere near my best,” said Serghini. “I need to really work hard on my game if I am to contend week in and week out. Hopefully, I will come out stronger next season.”

    Recommended