Ras Al Khaimah: Zane Scotland eagled the first extra hole to win the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in a three-way playoff with fellow Englishmen Craig Hinton and Miles Tunnicliff at the Tower Links Golf Club on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old from London hit his approach shot to within 15 feet and holed the ensuing putt at the par-5, 18th to seal his record-extending 11th title on the Mena Golf Tour after finishing tied with overnight leader Hinton and Tunnicliff at 10-under par in regulation play.
“Obviously, I am delighted to win another title on the tour — and winning it in a playoff under pressure makes it even more special,” said Scotland, who carded a final round 70.
“It was one of those days when I just couldn’t build any momentum because I wasn’t making any putts. It was kind of very boring golf. I knew I had to stay patient and focused on every shot which I tried to do.”
Starting the day one shot in front, Hinton, also felt he just failed to summon his A-Game when it mattered the most.
“Basically, nothing went in and nothing went my way, I just scrambled to hold it together,” he said. “It’s my fourth runner-up finish on the Mena Tour [since joining in 2013] and this one, in particular, will haunt me as I led from the start to the playoff.
“There is always hope for tomorrow. Hopefully, I will be able to get over the line in some other event on the tour this season [for a first win]. Let’s see how things pan out.”
Tunnicliff hit what he called a perfect shot from the bunker on the first extra hole, but it took a hard bounce and landed in the lake.
“Maybe I was a bit unlucky. But, I am very pleased the way I played this week. This is my best finish on the tour, which is good,” he said.
Elsewhere, 16-year-old Rayhan Thomas won the amateur division at three under par with a final round of level par 72, three clear of Scotland’s Ben Alexander and Saudi Arabia’s Othman Al Mullah, a further shot back in third.
