Ross McGowan rediscovered his best form when it mattered most to win the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Open on Monday, the opening event on the 2015 Mena Tour, ending a title drought that lasted 612 days.
Six shots behind overnight, the Englishman carded a 5-under 68 to reach three under, which was good enough to seal the victory, his second on the tour following the 2012 Abu Dhabi Open.
With this victory, McGowan also matched the feat of compatriot Ross Canavan, who had produced the biggest final-round comeback by a winner when he claimed the 2011 Ras Al Khaimah Open, wiping out a six-shot deficit.
McGowan’s countrymen Stuart Archibald and Jack Hiluta shared second spot on one-under with Morocco’s Faycal Serghini, a three-time runner-up on the tour, settling for a share of third on level par along with Austria’s Manuel Trappel, who started the final round three shots in front.
“I played really well and got a bit lucky in the end to win the tournament,” said McGowan, whose final round contained six birdies, one eagle and three bogeys. “Six behind overnight, I needed a decent start to get the round going. As luck would have it, I birdied three of the first five holes and kept the momentum rolling all the way through.
“Making an eagle on the 10th when I hit a hybrid from 235 yards to within eight feet proved be the turning point as, at five under, it was just a case of holding on the advantage. I putted solid and that, in the end, made the difference.”
Overnight leader Trappel, who closed with a four-over 77, said it was a tough day.
“This course doesn’t allow mistakes and I made many. There was nothing special about my game, and whatever I did right was derailed once I got on the greens,” he said.
The Mena Golf Tour next travels to Mohammedia for the Royal D’Anfa Open, which has a record field of 106 players, including 26 amateurs.
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