Zane Scotland wins MENA Tour three-man 

play-off  with an eagle

By VIREN VARMA

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE – Zane Scotland eagled the first extra hole to win the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in a three-way play-off at Tower Links Golf Club on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old from London stuffed his approach shot to within 15 feet and holed the ensuing putt at the par-5, 18th to seal his 11th title on the MENA Golf Tour after finishing tied with overnight leader Craig Hinton and Miles Tunnicliff at 10-under par  206 in regulation play.

“Obviously, I am delight to win another title on the tour -- and winning it in a play-off under pressure makes it even special,” said Scotland (pictured) after receiving the winner’s cheque for $9,000 from Simon Payne of Tower Links Golf Club and Rodney Bogg of the MENA Golf Tour.

“It was one of those days when I just couldn't build any momentum because I wasn't making any putts. It was kind of very boring golf. I knew I had to stay patient and focused on every shot which I tried to do,” said Scotland, who carded a final round 70.

Starting the day one shot in front, Hinton also felt he just failed to summon his A Game when it mattered the most. 

“Basically, nothing went in and nothing went my way, just scrambled to hold it together,” said the 27-year-old from Thame.

“It’s my fourth runner-up finish on the MENA Golf Tour and this one, in particular, will haunt me as I led from the start to the play-off,” said Hinton, who joined the tour in 2013.

“There is always hope for tomorrow. Hopefully, I will be able to get over the line in some other event on the tour this season. Let’s see how things pan out.”

Tunnicliff, a two-time winner on the European Tour, hit what he called a perfect shot from the bunker on the first extra hole, but it took a hard bounce and landed in the lake.

“Maybe, I was a bit unlucky. But, I am very pleased the way I played this week. This is my best finish on the tour, which is good,” added the 47-year-old Englishman, who shot a final round 68 to get into the play-off.

The English duo of Daniel Owen and Stuart Archibald shared fourth on nine under 207, one shot ahead of Spain’s Carlos Balmaseda, who is also a MENA Golf Tour ambassador. 

Stephen Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour and the 2012 MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit champion, returned a final-round 69 to finish seventh on seven-under 209 as his playing partner Andrew Marshall of England, also a European Tour veteran, settled for a share of 10th after carding a 71.

England’s Joe Heraty made the biggest final day charge, firing a bogey-free 66 – the best score of the week – to climb to joint eighth on six under along with fellow Englishman Luke Joy.

Young Rayhan Thomas closed with a level-par 72 to win the amateur division with a creditable score of three-under 213, three clear of Scot Ben Alexander (Renaissance Club), who returned a brilliant four-under 68 in the final round

Rayhan, who opened with a 69 on Monday, reeled off three birdies in his final four holes in a compelling fight-back, for his fifth victory in the division since joining the tour in 2013.

The MENA Golf Tour travels to Thailand for the first time next week for the Mountain Creek Open by Golf Citizen to be held at Mountain Creek Golf Resort and Residences, Amphur Sikhio, Nakhon Ratchasima, from May 10 to 12. 

SCOTSWATCH (by Colin Farquharson).
Renaissance Club member Ben Alexander outscored his professional compatriots, Daniel Kay, Paul Doherty and Clarke Lutton, for the second day in a row at the MENA Tour's Ras Al Khaimah Classic  at Tower Links Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.
The Lothian player finished runner-up in the amateur division with ever-improving scores of 78, 70 and 68 for level par 216 - three behind the  winner, Rayhan Thomas from India.
Alexander had six birdies in his final round - at the first, second, third, fifth, long 13th and 18th in halves of 33-35.
Dunbar's Danny Kay shot 69-72-72 for a tied 14th finish on 213. He had a double bogey at the first and also dropped a shot at the short fourth but birdied the long fifth, short 16th and long 18th.
Doherty had a triple bogey 7 at the 17th in his final round of 76 for a tied 40th finish on 220. His earlier scores were 69 and 75.
Aberdeen's Clarke Lutton had a double bogey 7 at the 18th in his final round. He shot 75, 72 and 76 for 223 and a tied 47th finish. 
Englishman Zane Scotland from London won the tournament with an eagle 3 at the first play-off hole against compatriots Craig Hinton and Miles Tunnifcliff after they had finished on 10-under-par 206. 

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72) Players from England unless stated otherwise
206 Zane Scotland  67 69 70, Craig Hinton 67 68 71, Miles Tunnicliff 68 70 68 (Scotland won play-off at first extra hole).
207 Daniel Owen 71 67 69 Stuart Archibald 70 69 68.

SCOTS' TOTALS
213 Daniel Kay 69 72 72 (T14)
216 Ben Alexander (am) 78 70 68.
220 Paul Doherty 69 75 76 (T40)
223 Clarke Lutton 75 72 76 (T47)