Doha: Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson yesterday produced a brilliant finish to win the $2m Commercial Bank Qatar Masters by a single shot, sealing his maiden DP World Tour crown at the picturesque Doha Golf Club.
Ferguson, trailing overnight leaders Englishman Matthew Jordan and Poland’s Adrian Meronk by three shots, remained determined after a shaky start in the final round to card two-under-par 70 under challenging conditions, setting a target of seven-under-par that proved a winning one.
American Chase Hanna, who also started the final round three shots adrift, finished in second place with a card of 71 after a birdie at the 18th.
As Jordan and Meronk struggled in the inward nine on another windy day after a tough penultimate round, confident Ferguson fired an eagle and a birdie in his last three holes to seal a maiden victory in his 37th appearance on the Tour. He also birdied the sixth before carding nine straight pars.
The Scotsman, who earlier endured a double bogey at the second hole, was delighted with the triumph.
“It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe it. Really just speechless that I’ve won and I’ve just seen that I might move up to 11th in the Rankings, which is just unbelievable,” the 25-year-old said after lifting the iconic “Mother of Pearl” trophy.
“I can’t believe it. It’s years and years of hard work. My mum, dad, brother and sister and my whole family have given everything for me to have this moment and it’s just an absolute dream come true,” he added.
He dedicated the victory to his mum on Mother’s Day.
“That’s for my mum. I know she’ll be watching at home crying. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums, especially mine,” said Ferguson, who pocketed winner’s prize of $340,000 yesterday.
After setting the target, Ferguson faced anxious moments as Meronk and Jordan were still in contention but they were unable to catch the Scot, who became third golfer from his country to win the prestigious tournament after Andrew Coltart (1998) and Paul Lawrie (1999 and 2012).
“It was one of those days when you just kept fighting to the end. I’d been in contention a bit over the last couple of years and not managed to win, to the point where I thought I don’t know if I’ll ever manage to win. Just to get over the line is an absolute dream come true. I cannot believe it,” said Ferguson.
Meanwhile, Meronk along with Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult finished on joint third with five under par.
Commercial Bank Group Chief Executive Officer Joseph Abraham, CBQ Board Member Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad Al Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee's Second Vice-President Dr Thani Al Kuwari, Commercial Bank Qatar Masters champion Ewen Ferguson and Qatar Golf Association President Hassan Al Naimi during the presentation ceremony at the Doha Golf Club, yesterday.
Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal, who led in the first two rounds, finished joined fifth along with Jordan and four other golfers.
A total of 144 golfers including 140 professionals and four amateurs featured in the silver jubilee edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
It was the first time that the Doha Golf Club hosted the popular tournament after undergoing major renovation.
LEADING SCORERS
281 - Ewen Ferguson 67-71-73-70
282 - Chase Hanna (USA) 70-66-75-71
283 - Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 74-65-73-71, Adrian Meronk (POL) 66-70-72-75
284 - Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 64-71-75-74, Justin Harding (RSA) 76-68-70-70, Marcus Armitage 71-73-71-69, Adrian Otaegui (ESP) 70-70-70-74, Kalle Samooja (FIN) 74-69-66-75, Matthew Jordan 69-69-70-76, Gavin Green (MAS) 77-67-69-71
285 - Thorbjoern Olesen (DEN) 71-69-76-69, Paul Waring 69-71-73-72, Laurie Canter 68-73-73-71, Wade Ormsby (AUS) 68-72-73-72, Justin Walters (RSA) 74-68-71-72, Marcus Helligkilde (DEN) 66-75-75-69, Craig Howie 70-74-70-71, Oliver Wilson 71-70-71-73, Wilco Nienaber (RSA) 68-68-74-75
