Sami: Oman this feels wonderful
GOLF
SAMI VALIMAKI won a first European Tour title after a play-off as Scots Grant Forrest and Connor Syme shone in Oman.
The Finn, playing only his sixth event on the circuit, beat Brandon Stone on the third extra hole at the Oman Open.
While the pair posted 70s to finish on 13-under 275 in Muscat, Forrest and Syme muscled their way to a share of 10th.
The Scots both shot 68 on the final day to finish five off the leaders in a seven-strong group that included former world No.1 Martin Kaymer (71).
Valimaki who only turned pro in January last year, holed out from around 20 feet at the last to force a play-off with the South African.
Both made par on the first two trips up the last before third time around Stone sent his second shot clattering into the stands. Valimaki’s par clinched victory as the 21-year-old said: “It’s awesome. There are not many words to say – it’s unbelievable.
“After the ninth hole, when I made a double bogey, I knew the 10th hole is good and I had to make a birdie on that.
“I didn’t make a really good par on 11 and after that bogey I felt like, ‘Okay, this is gone’. But then I just grinded, made three birdies and on the last an awesome birdie.”
Frenchman Adrien Saddier bogeyed the 17th to finish a shot outside the play-off after a 69.
Stephen Gallacher carded a 74 for a second day running to finish tied 30th on five-under 283, while fellow Scot Calum Hill hit a 72 that left him four shots further back.