Zane Scotland acknowledged he had shocked even himself with his final-round round charge to win the Ras Al Khaimah Classic on Wednesday and pick up his fourth Mena Tour title of the season.
The Englishman had begun the last day five shots off the pace, and it had not looked great initially for the Order of Merit leader as he went around the first nine holes in two-over.
But then he found his form on the final nine holes, hitting six birdies to finish on 67, which was enough for him to edge out overnight leader David Law by one shot.
“To be honest I surprised myself with the result,” said Scotland after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for US$9,000 (Dh33,000).
“I played pretty aggressively on the back nine and count myself lucky for holing some clutch putts. I took a big risk on the closing 18th hole, hitting my approach from behind the trees. Luckily, it landed on the green and I two putted for a birdie, which, in the end, made the difference.”
Scotland’s Law had his chance to force to play-off, but missed a three-footer for a birdie on the final hole to miss out.
South Africa’s Tyler Hogarty was left to reflect on his costly two-shot penalty on the opening day as he finished two short of Scotland in a tie for third with Andreas Finn and Ian Keenan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Hamza Amin produced the best round on the final day.
His seven-under 65, which matched Hogarty’s first-round effort, vaulted him to five-under for a share of the ninth.
“I am really proud of my effort today. I drove well and smashed my iron close to the pins. In short, everything clicked,” said Amin, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Tuesday. “I hit 17 greens and made the longest birdie putt on the sixth when I holed out from 15 feet. But, twice I three-putts and that were the only blemish on the card.”
England’s James Yeomans emerged the best amateur on one-over 217, two ahead of his compatriot James Allan and three of Morocco’s Mustapha El Maouas.
The next round of the Mena Tour, the Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open, starts on Monday.
Final Leaderboard
Zane Scotland (ENG) 207
David Law (SCO) 208
Tyler Hogarty (RSA) 209
Andreas Finn (SWE) 209
Ian Keenan (ENG) 209
Stephen Dodd (WAL) 210
MG Keyer (RSA) 210
Craig Hinton (ENG) 210
James Housby (ENG) 211
Hamza Amin (PAK) 211
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