Max Williams retains Qatar amateur championship

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Max Williams, 19, from Surrey has retained the 54-hole Qatar men's amateur championship at Doha Golf Club but needed a sudden-death play-off to do it.
This time the Cuddington player beat Surrey colleague Alex Christie, 24, after the pair had finished tied on 219, three over par.
A year ago over the same course, Williams beat 22-year-old Steven Brown in extra time to lift the title. This time Brown from Wentworth finished third on 224 in what was a virtual Surrey takeover.
“I am delighted to have successfully defended the title in Doha,” said Williams. “The course played well and the weather was perfect.”
A Williams victory did not look likely after the first round in which he shot 80 to trail the leader by seven shots. But a second-round 71 followed by a brilliant closing 68 saw Williams catch Tyrrells Wood-based Christie, who fired three rounds of 73.
Apart from the title and the trophy, Williams also gets an invitation to the Qatar Masters European Tour event, starting on January 28.