Marjan plays on despite foot injury in Mena Tour finale

Ahmed Marjan completed his final round of the Mena Tour despite an injured foot.

AL AIN // Ahmed Marjan of Morocco overcame a freak injury yesterday to finish as the top amateur at the Mena Tour and earn a place in next year's Dubai Desert Classic.

The 18-year-old's left foot was hanging out of his golf cart when he caught it on the ground while driving down the third fairway. He was able to recover but walked with a noticeable limp for the rest of his round and his foot swelled up after his day's work.

However, he carded a second successive even par score to go along with his first day's two-under round of 69.

"It was a really strange thing to happen but there was no way I wasn't going to finish my round, no matter how sore my foot was," Marjan said. "I was leading the amateur order of merit and knew I had a chance to win overall, so I wasn't going to give up. Although it is difficult to stand on it."

Marjan will be back in February to take part in the Desert Classic.

"I can't wait to be in such a big tournament," he said. "To play in such a massive European Tour event with the field they always have is beyond a dream for anyone my age."

He has no immediate plans to turn pro. "I need to spend the next four years playing in tournaments such as this, and improving my game," he said. "I would not like to make that jump without being absolutely ready."