Southport recover for the draw
BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU claimed a remarkable fourth win in his last nine events with a commanding victory in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic as Southport’s Tommy Fleetwood finished in a tie for 16th 11 shots back.
DeChambeau carded a closing 64 at Emirates Golf Club to set a new tournament record of 24 under par and finish seven shots clear of England’s Matt Wallace.
Wallace birdied the 18th to shoot 68 and claim outright second, a shot ahead of defending champion Li Haotong, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Alvaro Quiros and Paul Waring.
Beginning the day with a one-shot lead, DeChambeau made the ideal start with a hattrick of birdies and put the result beyond doubt with an eagle from just six feet on the 10th and another birdie on the next. The 25-year-old briefly gave the chasing pack a glimmer of hope with a bogey on the 12th following an errant drive, but birdied the 13th, 14th and 17th to seal an emphatic triumph.
“It’s incredible to get my first win overseas on the European Tour,” said DeChambeau, who will remain fifth in the world despite the victory. Fleetwood, like the rest of the field, had little answer to DeChambeau. But he made a solid start to the year when he carded a 13 under round to see him tie for 16th with fellow Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick and Kalle Samooja and Romain Wattel.
After rounds of 68, 70 and 68 Fleetwood finished with a 67 on the final day. The day didn’t start too good as he bogeyed the first hole.
But after pars for the next 12, Fleetwood finished with a flurry of birdies to card a threeunder 16th.
He birdied the 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th. IN the Handicap League, one of the matches this week finished in a draw, the only match in which neither side had a start.
Southport FC trailed Dismounted by six after six rounds but won the next 8-2 and drew the last to finish at 35-35 with Geoff Wilde 13 and Paul Hill 12 leading for the football club and Steve Watson 13 and Mike Williams 12 for the visitors.
Conceding two, Formby Pavilion were two behind visitors Drifting Sands after seven rounds but won the last 6-1 to finish
36-33 ahead led by Margaret Copplestone 17 with Jack Gardner 15 leading for Sands.
Conceding 14 at Mixed Blues, Zetland had made up 11 by half time but then lost ground to finish 48-43 down with Bill Morris 15 and Paul Tandy 10 scoring well for the home side and Dick Davies and John Clarke, both 14, and Harry Owen 10 leading for the visitors.
Conceding 25, Wings caught St Jeromes after six rounds and went on to finish 59-50 ahead with good scoring from Dag Griffiths and Tom Farley, both 18, and Keith Mulhearn 14 and Mike Beckingham 11 for the Formby side. In the Thomas/Evans family battle ie, Casablanca and MPs, Casablanca made up their 10 point concession by half time but MPs rallied and finished 48-44 ahead led by Ann Evans 20, son
Dan 10 with Ann’s brother Bill Thomas 13 and Dave Dutton 19 leading for the visitors. Conceding five, Fishermen’s Rest drew level with Quads after six rounds and then won the next 6-0 to finish 40-34 ahead led by Phil Lally 13 and John Ashcroft 10 with Richard Farbon and Steve Redfern, both 10, for the visitors.
Starting 11 ahead, Vikings were never headed at Formby Sports and finished 50-39 in front led by Alan Martin and Roy Shannon, both 12, with Gary Buxton 14, Sheila Tickle 13 and
Keith Gowans 11 for the Formby side. Led by
John Richards 20 and Dave Leyland 19, Devonshire Club made light of their 17 point concession to ExPats in winning 57-41.