Pepperell holds off Fisher for maiden win in Qatar
The Englishman finished one clear of his countryman at Doha GC in Qatar
Eddie Pepperell held off fellow Englishman Oliver Fisher to claim his first European Tour victory in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Pepperell holds off Fisher for maiden win in Qatar
Eddie Pepperell fired a final round of 70 in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to finish on a four-round total of 18-under-par, one clear of Oliver Fisher.
Pepperell and Fisher began the final day tied at the top of the leaderboard in Doha but Pepperell moved clear on the front nine. He reached the turn three strokes in front.
But Fisher fought back on the run for home and there was just a shot between them by the time they reached the par-5 last. Fisher looked to have the advantage after two shots on the home hole with Pepperell in the rough but both men ended up making par and the victory went to Pepperell.
In his 129th European Tour start, Pepperell has now secured his first victory on the circuit.
"What a day," he said. "Oli made it really tough and I made it tough for myself at the end there with the second shot at 18. I felt good all day, I felt comfortable. I didn't feel that comfortable with my swing but I was in a great place mentally and I kept telling myself that I'm going to win this. This will give me great confidence.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The victory marks the culmination of a fine return to form from Pepperell. He lost his playing privileges in 2016 and had to go back to Q school to regain his status for 2017. He enjoyed a good season in 2017 with four top-five finishes and he now has a victory to add to his CV.
Oliver Fisher has also been out of the limelight recently and, although he will be disappointed to fall just short of securing a second Tour victory, he can console himself with the fact that this was his first top-three finish since the Africa Open of 2014.
Marcus Kinhult of Sweden ended the week alone in third place with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Gregory Havret, Pablo Larrazabal and Renato Paratore tied fourth.
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano regained his European Tour card through Q-school and the seven-time European Tour winner was delighted to be back in contention on the circuit.
"I made the effort last year of coming back to School and definitely it's paying off and I'm very happy to be back here and seeing all my friends and enjoying playing back in Europe," he said.
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Doha GC, Qatar Feb 22-25 Purse: €1,410,000 Par: 72
1 Eddie Pepperell (Eng) 65 69 66 70 270 €236,315 2 Oliver Fisher (Eng) 66 69 65 71 272 €157,543 3 Marcus Kinhult (Swe) 68 69 67 68 272 €88,762 T4 Gonzalo Fdz-Castano (Esp) 68 68 69 68 273 €55,795 T4 Gregory Havret (Fra) 65 69 70 69 273 €55,795 T4 Pablo Larrazabal (Esp) 68 67 70 68 273 €55,795 T4 Renato Paratore (Ita) 71 66 70 66 273 €55,795 T8 George Coetzee (RSA) 69 66 71 68 274 €33,605 T8 Sebastian Heisele (Ger) 67 68 71 68 274 €33,605 T10 Matthew Baldwin (Eng) 68 70 68 69 275 €26,279 T10 Mike Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 68 68 69 70 275 €26,279 T10 Adrian Otaegui (Esp) 67 66 73 69 275 €26,279
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.
He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
-
Tim Barter Facts: 10 Things To Know About The Sky Sports Broadcaster
Tim Barter has been a mainstay of Sky Sports' golf broadcast team for over three decades - here are 10 things to know about him
By Mike Hall Published
-
Andrew Coltart Facts: 15 Things To Know About The Sky Sports Commentator
Andrew Coltart swapped a professional golf career for one behind the mic in 2011 - here are 15 things to know about the Scot
By Mike Hall Published
-
Every European Tour Order Of Merit Winner Since 1937
The European Tour's Order of Merit winner claims the Harry Vardon Trophy - a prize which was first handed out in 1937
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!
In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
By Neil Tappin Published
-
What Is Tiger Woods' Net Worth?
Tiger Woods became the first billion dollar athlete in 2009
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
The Masters Live Stream: How To Watch The Major
Here are all the details on how you can watch the Major wherever you are in the world.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Five Outsiders Who Could Win The Masters
We consider five players who might surprise the favourites and claim victory at Augusta
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Girlfriend?
Find out more on who the American professional golfer is going out with here.
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
Bermuda Championship Golf Betting Tips 2021
Who is the GM Tipster backing to win this week in Bermuda?
By Jeremy Chapman Published
-
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
By Matt Cradock Published