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Gray wins UAE PGA Matchplay title, secures
second place on Order of Merit
Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht club’s David Gray leapfrogged into second place on the final Professional Golfers’ Association Order of Merit, sponsored by Al Naboodah, Rotana Hotels, SpenglerFox and Dubai Golf Publishing, when he triumphed in the UAE PGA Matchplay final at Four Seasons Golf Club.
Gray’s victory over the new UAE PGA strokeplay champion James Bowring came when the match was conceded on the 12th green with Gray “dormy” six up and six to play.
Bowring had been unable to recapture the sparkling form which had seen him finish third in the recent Emirates Golf Club Black Tee Challenge and then go on to win the PGA Championship over 36 holes at Al Hamra a few days earlier and, feeling the match was lost, shook Gray’s hand before they got to the 13th tee.
Gray, who had gained the points he needed to secure a top three place in the Order of Merit by beating Nick Oakley (IGLS) 2 and 1 in the morning semi-final, agreed that Bowring had not been playing at his best, but said he still needed to put in a good performance and hold his concentration.
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“I felt good,” said the Dubai Creek Golf Operations Executive. “But I still had to play.”
“I holed a good clutch putt to go three up after eight.
“I then hit one right down the middle on nine and James found the water so I went four up.
“I won the 10th with a par to a bogey and we halved the short par-three 11th.
“I won the 12th when James lost a ball and conceded the match on the 12th green.”
Gray’s second place means he wins a prestigious place on the three-man UAE tea
 courtesy of XPRESS
m for the
European PGA Team Championships in Spain in December alongside Order of Merit champion
Simon Payne (Palm Resort, Al Ain) and fellow Dubai Creek Professional Stephen Hubner,
who finished third in the standings.
“It’s difficult for most of the pros to prepare for and play in tournaments as we are working all the time,” Gray said. “Most of the time I’m lucky if I get to hit a few shots on the range a week so I’m pleased with the way I’ve performed.
“I knew I had to play well and win my semi-final to make the top three and I’ve done it.
“I had a great run earlier in the season,” added Gray, who had previously won
two Order of Merit tournaments on the UAE PGA circuit this season. “But my form
deserted me a little lately so it’s good to get back to winning.
“At one point I thought I could have a real run at Simon for the number one spot,
but he was a worthy winner again.”
Now Gray is hoping he can get the time off his busy job at the Creek to make the trip to Spain!
“Work permitting I hope I can make the trip to Spain, It will be a great honour,” he said.
“But work does come first.”
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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 courtesy of XPRESS
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