Gary King birdied the first play-off hole to win the Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Three shots in front overnight, the Englishman closed with a level-par 72 to force a play-off with his compatriot and playing partner James Allan, who shot a nine-under 69, thanks to a putt he holed for birdie from 35 yards on the closing hole.
Both the players hit the green in regulation at the first extra hole, with Allan settling for par while King held his nerve to hole his birdie putt from 10 yards to claim his first victory on the Mena Golf Tour in four appearances.
“I kept my composure and never allowed the situation to get the better of me and that was the key,” said King after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for US$9,000 (Dh33,000).
England’s Jake Shepherd, who won the Dubai Creek Open last week, had made things interesting, taking a two-shot lead at the turn, but three bogeys on the back nine kept him from making it two in a row.
Morocco’s Ahmed Marjane carded a 73 to top the Mena Division for the Sheikh Maktoum Golf Foundation on two-under, three shots ahead of Faycal Serghini and five clear of Amine Joudar.
The next stop on the Mena Tour is the Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open, starting on Monday at Al Badia Golf Club.
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