Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
Doha, Qatar
Winner: Justin Harding

It took a player who has taken a liking to winning to emerge from a crowded leaderboard at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. A European Tour record nine players shared runner-up honors, but Justin Harding claimed a two-stroke victory thanks to three birdies in the last four holes at Doha. This was the 33-year-old South African’s fifth win in nine months after two in his homeland and two in Asia in 2018 — but a first on the European Tour having started the week without full playing privileges.

Harding was three behind Oliver Wilson at the start of the final round and made three birdies in his first four holes. But he dropped two shots as early starter Jinho Choi scored a 64 to post 11 under par as the clubhouse target. Harding went five under par on the way home, starting with birdies at the 10th and 12th holes before his flying finish. With rounds of 68, 68, 73 and 66 Harding finished on 275, 13 under par. There were still 15 players to finish before he knew whether victory would be his. Joining Choi in second place were Harding’s South African compatriots George Coetzee, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Erik van Rooyen, Spaniards Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira, Sweden’s Anton Karlsson, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera and former Ryder Cup player Wilson.

”It feels good,” said Harding. “It was nerve-racking. I didn’t quite think it was enough, I thought there might be a playoff, but I’m happy to get over the line eventually. I’ve been knocking on the door a little recently.”