Warren pipped at the post as Grace grabs last-gasp triumph in Doha
MARC WARREN was denied a thrilling victory in Doha as South African Branden Grace birdied his final hole to claim the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Warren birdied four of his last six holes to pile the pressure on Grace, who had struggled to get his round going on the outward nine.
But a moment of magic on the 16th — a decisive eagle after a drive to five feet — put Grace in pole position and he held his nerve to claim victory with a 19-under-par total.
The victory was Grace’s sixth European Tour title and second of the season after his win at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December. It also fires him to the top of the early Race to Dubai standings.
‘It was a great day and it’s another trophy to put in the cupboard,’ said Grace, who will now move into the world’s top 50 to ensure his presence in the season’s elite events.
‘The form has been there. I played great and I managed to get in on top.’
Grace and Warren both started the day in a four-way tie for the lead with Emiliano Grillo and Bernd Wiesberger.
Warren birdied the first and second, but his challenge stalled when he double-bogeyed the short eighth after his tee shot found the water. However, he looked poised for a play-off after a flawless back nine that included five birdies.
Wiesberger finished third on 17-under-par while England’s Eddie Pepperell came home fourth a further shot back.
World No 2 Henrik Stenson finished down the field in a six-way tie for 13th on 10-under-par, with England’s Justin Rose and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts.