|
Dubai: Christopher Davis, of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, clinched a dramatic playoff victory in the Emirates Summer Open from defending champions Matthew Turner (Emirates GC) and Sebastian Heisele (Emirates GC).
The opening round over the Wadi by Faldo course produced three level par scores of 73 from Davis, Turner and Andy Andrews (DCGYC). Sean Thornberry (EGC) signed for a 74 to secure a place in the final group over the Majlis course.
Heisele recorded a 75 on day one leaving him two shots adrift of the leaders in the 36-hole championship.
The final round was a nail-biting affair with only two shots separating the leaders as they headed on to the back nine.
Andy Andrews's challenge faded on the 12th hole when he took a triple bogey seven and with Thornberry recording a double bogey the door opened for Turner and Davis.
Heisele made his move on the 332-yard 17th hole by launching a drive to the centre of the green and drained a 15-foot putt for an eagle, a par followed on the 18th hole to post a clubhouse lead of 146, 1-over par.
Slow going
The final group then all incurred a one-shot penalty for persistent slow play, leaving Davis and Turner one shot behind with the par five 18th to play. Both held composure and holed putts from 10 feet to force the play off with Heisele.
The trio all took driver on the 17th but it was Davis who had the easiest up and down for birdie.
Heisele couldn't match his achievement in regular play and only managed a par four.
Turner produced a fantastic chip giving him a tap in birdie and Davis holed a 6-footer to take the defending Champion to the 18th. Both in the middle of the fairway after their drives, matchplay golf took over as Davis, the 2005 champion, fired a mid iron to 8 feet; an awesome shot under the circumstances.
Turner pulled his approach short and left and had to settle for a par five leaving Davis two putts for the title.
|
