(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Rising
Pakistani teen Ahmed Baig has won a dream spot in this February's
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters after his final round 70 gave him a
one-shot victory in the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship at the Doha
Golf Club yesterday.
The talented 19-year-old from Lahore aggregated
three-under par 213 over three rounds after recording a birdie on the
final hole yesterday, and in the process dashed the hopes of overnight
leader, Morocco's Ayoub Id Omar, who finished one shot behind, on 214.
'I
am over the moon to get the chance of playing with some of the best
professionals at the Qatar Masters, Baig said after his victory.
'I
played aggressive and took my chances. By God's grace I got the crucial
birdie and won this big event on my first appearance in the tournament,
he added.
Baig had won the Faldo Challenge earlier this month in
Karachi and also pocketed victories in international amateur tournaments
in Iran and Sri Lanka earlier.
Baig went for the kill after parring
the 17th hole. His chip to the final hole went past the pin and rolled
back, leaving him with a three-and-a-half feet birdie putt which he
easily managed to pip Omar.
Second-placed Omar was disappointed,
having posted 69 and 72 in the first two rounds before a 73 in the final
round ruined his chances.
'I did not play as well as I expected. I
have no complaints with the conditions, they were ok. I put myself under
a lot of pressure and also my short game was not working well, said
the 21-year-old Omar. Mats Markovits was third among the amateurs and
former winner Jakub Hrinda fourth.
In the professional category, it
was England's Joshua White who triumphed, a 70 in the final round giving
him a three-under 213 aggregate following a strong back nine.
White earned QR7,000 and will also get to play the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters as a reward for his efforts.
Two-time
winner on the European Tour, Simon Khan, finished second with a total
of 221, eight shots off the pace, while Jean-Michel Hall was third with
222, completing an English sweep of the first three spots among the
professionals.
As expected Ali al-Shahrani and Saleh Ali al-Kaabi
were the best among the Qataris in contention and will get to play in
the Masters. Al-Shahrani, who missed the 2017 event to concentrate on
his studies, carded a five-over 77 for an eight-over 224 to finish 14th
overall, while last year's runner-up al-Kaabi was a joint 21st after a
third-round 78 to collect 16 over 232.
Qatar Golf Association
Executive Director Mohamed Faisal al-Naimi and board member Mohamed
Ibrahim al-Mohannadi, gave away the prizes.
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