Yousuf fires to lift Presidents Cup
HSBC backs new event to promote local talent development
Khalid Yousuf saved his best for the last as two birdies in his last four holes helped him win The Presidents Cup by three shots at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on Saturday.
The Presidents Cup is a new championship of the Emirates Golf Federation, replacing the erstwhile Lexus National Championship and also has a new sponsor in HSBC UAE.
It was the fourth National title for the 23- year- old Yousuf, who last won EGF’s flagship event in 2009. In the twoday tournament played over the tough and windy Gary Player- designed layout, Yousuf shot rounds of 74 and 76 for a total of 150, three better than defending champion Abdullah Al Musharrakh ( 78- 75).
There was a tie for third place at 155 between Saif Thabet and Suhail Al Marzouqi, with Suhail taking the prize on countback after his strong finish of one- under par on the last nine holes.
In the junior division, Ahmad Skaik won both the gross and net prizes on offer with rounds of 84 and 87. That accounted for gross 171 and net 157.
The prizes were distributed by EGF chairman Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi and Abdul Fattah Sharaf, CEO of HSBC UAE.
EGF Secretary General Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi said: “The Presidents Cup definitely is a new chapter in the history of golf in the UAE. The Royal blessing definitely elevates the stature of the tournament, and we would like to thank President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for that.
“Congratulations also to Khalid Yousuf and all the other players.”