Wednesday, September 17, 2014

MENA TOUR REPORT AND LEADING SCORES

LUKE JOY WINS DUBAI CREEK OPEN 
PLAY-OFF, TOM BUCHANAN CLOSE 3rd


England's Luke Joy parred the second play-off hole to defeat New

 Zealander Trevor Marshall and win the MENA Golf Tour's Dubai 

Creek Open today.
Playing in his very first MENA Tour event, Joy  finished regulation play tied with Marshall on a five-under 208 after both closed with matching 68s to extend play.
The duo settled for par on the first extra hole, the 18th, but the drama

 unfolded on the second when Marshall, a regular on the MENA Golf Tour, found water with his approach after the missing the fairway on the right and ended up with a double bogey.
Joy, who hit the green in two as he did on the first extra hole, holed his par putt  to make his debut on the MENA Golf Tour a memorable affair.
"It feels just fantastic to win your first tournament in your first appearance in the Middle East. I hope it's just the start and more success will follow soon," said Joy after receiving the winner's trophy from Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, in the presence of Mustafa Al Hashimi, CEO of wasl Hospitality and Leisure, and Paula Savage, lady captain of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
"It's not that easy to score on this course, but it's a tribute to the competitive spirit of the field that we had some very good performances. There are many good professionals and amateurs playing on the tour, which is great for golf in the region," said the 26-year-old Englishman, who also received a winner's cheque for $9,000.
"I hope players like me will keep inspiring amateurs and, hopefully, they soon will be a force to reckon with," said Joy, who turned professional in 2012. 
Overnight leader amateur Craig Vance of England and second-placed Shafiq Masih of Pakistan, along with Dubai-based Scot Tom Buchanan, had their chances to make the play-off, but  they all found in water at the 18th to fade out of contention.
Buchanan, who represents Al Ain Shooting, Equestrian and Golf Club, finished third on his own solo after closing with a 69 for 209 - one shot shy of the play-off pair -  while Vance and Masih shared  fourth on a 201 after final rounds of 74 and 73 respectively.
Vance, who took a solo one-shot lead going into the final round, however, had the consolation of winning the amateur division, a good four shots ahead of compatriot James Allan.
An initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the MENA Golf Tour travels to Al Badia Golf Club next week when England's Zane Scotland, who is also a golf in DUBAi ambassador, will be defending the title.
Portlethen's rookie pro Sam Kiloh (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) finished T14 on 215 with scores of 70, 74 and 71.
Conor Neil (Mearns Castle) also made the top 20 with rounds of 74, 72 and 70 for 216 and a share of 18th place.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 213 (3x71) 
208 L Joy (Eng) 70 70 68, T Marshall (NZ) 68 72 68 (Joy won 

play-off at second hole)
209 T Buchanan (Sco) 73 67 69

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
215 S Kiloh 70 74 71 (T14)
216 C O'Neil (Mearns Castle) 74 72 70
218 Clarke Lutton 69 76 73 (T28)
220 James Steven (am) 70 78 72 (T37)
223 P Doherty 74 73 76 (T51)

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