Malcolm Young, Arabian Ranches Golf Club's favourite professional, claimed the UAE's Professional Golfers' Association's Matchplay title convincingly over Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club's Head Academy Professional, Stephen Hubner, 5 and 4.
33 professionals, all vying for the title, started tee-ing up against each other from October 2009, where each match saw a fellow UAE PGA member eliminated culminating in the final which was played at Al Badia Golf Club on May 13th.
"I played very well, to be fair, tee to green and I had a great start hitting it to about 6-feet at the 1st" said Young. After halving the first hole, Young went on to win the 4th, 6th and 7th holes to be 4-up at the 8th tee.
Both were in good positions to birdie the 8th, however Young sent his chip too far past the hole with Hubner standing up to hole an 8-foot putt for a birdie subsequently winning the hole. Hubner continued his momentum winning the 9th with an outstanding putt for par reducing his deficit against Young.
The 11th was halved, then on his second shot into the 12th Young hit his 7-iron to 5-feet and with Hubner short of the green in two, Young won the hole to go back to 4-up. 13th was also halved and then Young won the 14th and the match.
"Stephen is a great friend of mine and an outstanding competitor" claims Young, "anyone who reaches the final has played well for the past 7 months, and I am delighted to have come through some tough games and be the overall winner" he added. "I felt very comfortable with my game and feel like I learned something in each match to help me in the next one mentally, so on that side I am pleased to see my game has continually progressed through the season".
Callum Nicoll, of The Els Club, secured 3rd spot ahead of Jumeirah Golf Estate's Steven Munro finishing their match with an incredibly strong 8 and 6.
The UAE PGAs' tournament season is soon to close through the climactic and prestigious PGA Championships to be hosted at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
