Michael McGinley overcame a three-shot deficit on the second and final round to win the Dubai Creek Men’s Club Championship by one shot.
The 36-hole strokeplay tournament, presented by J Lindberg, is the most highly anticipated members’ event of the year and always produces some great performances, and this year was no exception.
McGinley, a member of Dubai Creek and brother of former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, shot a two-over par 73 on the opening day to be three behind Shezad Lakdawala, who fired a superb score of one-under par 70. Lakdawala, a five-handicapper, also led the Championship Vase (net event) by one shot over Ishwar Jodha with his score of 65.
McGinley made the best possible start on day two, with a birdie on the first, and by the second hole, Lakdawala had lost his advantage and the two were tied at two-over.
At the turn, McGinley was leading on three-over with Lakdawala one shot behind. However, with last year’s champion Rayhan Thomas and four-time champion Miki Mirza only a couple of shots away, it was getting crowded at the top.
Michael McGinley shoots 72 (+1) to claim the #JLinderberg Dubai Creek Men's Club Championship 2016! #Congratulations pic.twitter.com/7bPg1dpw3W
— Dubai Creek Golf (@DubaiCreekGolf) February 21, 2016
After the turn, three birdies in five holes saw Mirza jump to the top of the leaderboard and join McGinley at three-over. A birdie on the 13th by McGinley was not of much help after following up with a bogey on the 15th.
However, there was a two-shot swing when McGinley made a birdie on the 17th and Mirza a bogey. It became even more interesting when McGinley missed the fairway and had to lay up.
Mirza (76-70-146) could not add to the pressure and made a par, while McGinley (73-72-145) two-putted for a bogey to win by one shot. Thomas (76-71-147) finished in third place.
A delighted McGinley commented: “I am a proud member of this club and so it is a great feeling to finally get my name on this trophy. It is one I’ve been trying to win for a while.”
In the Championship Vase, a final total of five-under par saw Ishwar Jodha record a four-shot victory after two impressive net rounds of 66 & 71. Lakdawala had to be content with second place at one-under 141.
