Leitmannstetter rallies to claim maiden win on MENA Golf Tour
Leitmannstetter, who is playing in his third season on the MENA Golf Tour.
Morocco’s Marjan was left ruing shots that got away, especially on the 16th where he was sitting for an eagle, but three putted from 24 feet for par. A birdie on the closing hole could have forced a playoff, but he left it short from 15 feet.
“Yes, I had my chances, but couldn’t take them. Overall, very pleased to finish second. It was good week and I can take many positives from this event. Almost every part of my game fell into place, it’s just that I couldn’t get over the line which is a shame.”
Chile’s Matias Calderon and the English duo of Benjamin David and Todd Clements shared the leading amateur award after the trio finished on matching five-under 211s.
“I really enjoyed playing for the first time on the MENA Golf Tour. The environment is pretty nice and healthy,” said Calderon, who closed with a 70, highlighted by an eagle on par-5, 13th when he smashed a fiveiron from 220 yards to within 20 feet.
“I have learned a lot playing alongside many experienced players and hope the experience will come handy when I play the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain next week,” said the 24-year-old prodigy who is based in Spain.
Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Attieh carded a two-under 70 to take the honors in the MENA Division for amateurs, beating his closest rival and fellow countrymen by a good four shots.
Tied for 50th overnight on three over, Thomas Bosco Cwiok made the biggest move of the day, shooting a sparkling 65 that matched the course record set by Morocco’s Marjan on Tuesday and catapulted him to joint 15th.
After making a birdie-bogey start, Cwiok found this rhythm and picked up four more shots before tuning in 32 and kept the momentum rolling all the way through, making three birdies on the back nine to post a creditable finish.
Among the notables, Andrew Marshall returned a final round 69 to finish in a tie for seventh on five under while his fellow Englishman Zane Scotland settled for tied 20th after closing with a 67 as defending champion Lee Corfield slipped to tied 42nd on four over 220.
The MENA Golf Tour will travel to Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club for the season-ending Tour Championship, starting from Oct. 30. 1. Aaron Leitmannstetter
(Germany) 10-under 2. Ahmed Marjan (Morocco)
9-under 3. Fredrik From (Sweden) 8-under
Benjamin David (England), Todd Clements (England), Matias Calderon (Chile) – all five-under
Leading professional: Ahmed Marjan (Morocco)
Leading amateur Khaled Attieh (Saudi Arabia)