Zane Scotland catches Jake Shepherd to win Mena Tour event in Dubai

‘It worked out well for me in the end,' says Englishman, who shoots bogey-free 67 on final day to leapfrog leader and win his third title.

England's Zane Scotland, second to the left, won the Mena Golf Tour's Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open on Wednesday. (MENA)

A triumphant Zane Scotland celebrated winning the Mena Tour’s Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open on Wednesday as overnight leader Jake Shepherd was left to rue a late collapse.

Two shots behind going into the final round, Scotland closed with a bogey-free 67 to reach 13-under at Al Badia Golf Club, beating David Law by two shots for his third win on the tour this season and fifth overall.

“It feels great to win another title on the tour. I tried to stay focused on my game and not force things. It worked out well for me in the end,” said Scotland after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for US$9,000 (Dh33,000) from Adel Zarouni, vice-chairman of Emirates Golf Federation.

Scotland credited playing a patient round, taking few risks, for ensuring he was able to pounce when his main rival, Shepherd, began to flounder.

“I didn’t drop a shot today – and that was the key,” the Englishman said. “The intention now is to try and keep the momentum going in the remaining events on the tour.

“There are plenty of good players on the tour and so that is really an incentive to do your best.”

Shepherd dropped three shots on his last two holes, evoking memories of his implosion at the 2011 Ras Al Khaimah Classic when he blew a five-shot lead on the final day to miss out.

“I messed it up big time,” said Shepherd, 23, the winner of the Mena Tour in 2011.

“I had it in my hands with two to go. What can I say? I am very disappointed.”

The Englishman’s round of 73 saw him finish fifth, four shots adrift of his compatriot Scotland.

Law’s 69 saw him achieve second place, one shot ahead of Englishman William Harrold and Austrian Roland Steiner.

Morocco’s Mustapha El Maouas made a move with a three-under 69 to finish at level par, three shots behind England’s James Allan, who was the top amateur with rounds of 73, 70 and 73.

The next leg of the tour is the Ras Al Khaimah Classic, which begins on Monday at the Tower Links Golf Club.

Mena Tour’s Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open final results

Player (country) scores

Z Scotland (ENG) 65, 71, 67 – 203

D Law (SCO) 66, 70, 69 – 205

W Harrold (ENG) 68, 69, 69 – 206

R Steiner (AUS) 68, 68, 70 – 206

J Shepherd (ENG) 65, 69, 73 – 207

S Dodd (WAL) 72, 70, 66 – 208

J White (ENG) 68, 75, 65 – 208

C Hanson (ENG) 70, 70, 69 – 209

S Archibald (ENG) 73, 69, 67 – 209

S Heisele (GER) 71, 69, 70 – 210

T Hogarty (RSA) 70, 68, 72 – 210

H Amin (PAK) 67, 72, 71 – 210

S Ferguson (ZIM) 70, 71, 69 – 210

D Stewart (SCO) 73, 68, 70 – 211

J Harrison (ENG) 73, 71, 67 – 211

S Sanchez (ESP) 72, 68, 72 – 212

J Westwood (ENG) 72, 69, 71 – 212

D Wardrop (ENG) 70, 70, 72 – 212

J Housby (ENG) 70, 72, 71 – 213

N Mullhaupt (SUI) 69, 69, 75 – 213

M Swales (ENG) 73, 72, 68 – 213