MENA TOUR breakthrough for Scot

Aberdeen's Clarke Lutton scores first win as a 

pro in Dubai's Golf Citizen Classic

 MENA TOUR NEWS RELEASE

DUBAI  — Aberdeen-born tour pro Clarke Lutton survived a big test of nerve to win the $50,000 Golf Citizen Classic by one shot for his maiden success - worth US dollars 6,063 -  won the MENA Golf Tour at The Els Club, Dubai today.

Four in front overnight, the 27-year-old Birmingham University PGA course graduate closed with a two-under 70 to reach 13-under 203 for the tournament, seeing off a strong challenge from Trevor Marshall of New Zealand on the home stretch.

Lutton's earlier rounds over what he considers his home course were 67 and 66, his lowest ever scores on the MENA Tour.

Lutton’s playing partner, Stuart Archibald of England carded a final round 69 to finish solo third on 206, three shots ahead of his compatriot Zane Scotland.

Paul Doherty, leader of the MENA Tour Order of Merit coming into this event, finished joint seventh on 211 with rounds of 70,72 and 69.

Slovakia’s young prodigy Jakub Hrinda provided a new twist to the script, winning the amateur division on four under after Morocco’s overnight amateur leader Ayoub Lguirati stumbled to a four-over 76. 

Despite the searing afternoon heat, Dubai-based Lutton kept his cool when it mattered most to seal the deal, becoming the second Scot after Paul Doherty, to have his name inscribed on a MENA (Middle East North Africa) Golf Tour trophy.

“I am just ecstatic. Just can’t describe how I am feeling about my first win as a professional. It wasn’t easy: a big test of nerve indeed,” said the Aberdeen native after receiving the winner’s trophy from Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tourat the Els Club.

“I think playing the tournament with an aggressive mindset did the trick. It was my short game in the final round that really kept me going as I made some good up-and-down pars. The birdie on the 14^th was crucial when I holed a long 12-foot putt which kind of steadied my nerves,” said Lutton, who turned professional in 2007.

New Zealand’s Marshall had his chances, but could not capitalise on the par-5s which he played in level par on the final round.

 on par-5s, he played at level par.

 

“When you are chasing down a big four-shot lead, you need to do well on all the par-5s, but that didn’t happen. All credit to Clarke, who really played well and deserved to win,” said Marshall.

Slovakia’s Hrinda attributed his victory in the amateur division to solid golf all week. “I didn’t make silly mistakes, which was the key,” said the 15-year-old, who is a 10^th grade student at Doha College.

“I would like to thank college for all their support. Certainly, I would like to play more often on the tour and will do so once I am done with my studies,” said Hrinda.

  

Morocco’s Mohammed Bellarousia won the MENA Division for professionals on three-over 219 while Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Attieh took the honours in the region’s amateur division.

The MENA Golf Tour travels to Oman next week for the Muscat Hills Golf Citizen Championship

MENA TOUR 

Golf Citizen Classic 

Els Golf Club, Dubai

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 216 (3x72)

203 C Lutton (Sco) 67 66 70

204 T Marshall (NZ) 70 67 67

206 S Archibald (Eng) 71 66 69

209 Z Scotland (Eng) 71 68 70

210 C Hinton (Eng) 72 70 68, G King (Eng) 70 70 70 

SELECTED TOTALS

211 P Doherty (Sco) 70 72 69 (T7)

219 T Innes-Ker (Sco) 73 72 74 (T30)

221 C Nicoll (Sco) 73 75 73 (T40)