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Payne retains UAE PGA Order of Merit title
A second-place finish in the UAE PGA Championship, sponsored by RAK Ceramics, over 36 holes has enabled Simon Payne (Palm Resort, Al Ain) to win back-to-back UAE PGA Order of Merit titles.
Payne shot 74 and 72 over the tough links course to finish four strokes behind James Bowring (Al Naboodah) and the 75 points he picked up was enough to give him an unassailable lead in the Order of Merit, which is supported by UAE PGA patrons Al Naboodah, Rotana Hotels, SpenglerFox and Dubai Golf Publishing, with one event remaining.
Payne, the reigning 2006-07 champion, opened the season in style by winning the first Order of Merit event at the Montgomerie, Dubai, in a play-off and was never headed in the standings as he strung together as series of top-10 finishes over the 16 event calendar.
The big-hitting former Dubai Country Club pro notched a second victory of the season off the championship tees at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the fifth Order of Merit event, and withstood challenges from Dubai Creek pair Stephen Hubner and David Gray, who himself won two events during the season, to hang on to his crown.
The UAE PGA Order of Merit circuit was expanded this season, thanks to the generous support of AL Naboodah, Rotana Hotels, SpenglerFox and Dubai Golf Publishing, and prize money has totalled Dh82,820 – the highest in UAE PGA history – and is set to improve further next season.
2007-08 Order of Merit after 16th event, UAE PGA Championships
Only one event remains, the match play final. With 100 points for the winner, Simon Payne has an assailable lead at the top of the Order of Merit.
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NAME
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NO. OF
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TOTAL
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EVENTS PLAYED
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POINTS
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Simon
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Payne
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13
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795 (Champion)
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Stephen
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Hubner
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10
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645
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Luke
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Cantelo
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10
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555
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David
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Gray
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10
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552.5
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Nick
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Oakley
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10
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547.5
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Greg
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Holmes
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10
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392.5
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Richard
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Sheridan
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7
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387.5
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Graeme
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Bell
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7
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380*
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Malcolm
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Young
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8
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377.5
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Craig
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Martin
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12
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335
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James
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Bowring
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12
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327.5
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Jamie
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Wood
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10
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305
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Julius
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Pohjola
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6
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280*
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Stephen
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Sweeney
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6
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255
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Dave
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Adams
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7
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237.5
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Justin
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Parsons
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5
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235
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Alan
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MacKenzie
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5
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232.5
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Ross
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McArthur
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4
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197.5
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Stuart
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Fee
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4
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187.5
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Andrew
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Pilfold
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10
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155
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Cyril
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Rozes
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7
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155
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Simon
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Mees
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5
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152.5
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David
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Condon
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5
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140
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Paul
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Dennis
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4
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137.5
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For more information on the UAE PGA or their activities please contact Julian Danby, UAE PGA Secretary, on 050 456 0779 or email jdanby@dubaigolf.com
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