Youngsters crowned Pearl Trophy winners

Manama : The annual Pearl Trophy match play competition came to a conclusion last weekend at the Royal Golf Club with the final taking place between defending champions Hanne and Claus Hansen and the young duo of Yaseen Le Falher and Sam Hobday, with both teams in fine form and little to choose between the pairs.

With three holes to go in regulation play, Hanne and Claus managed to win the par 3 16th hole to bring the match to all square. The next hole was halved with 4s which meant it was all square down to the last hole.

Playing down-wind on the famous 18th hole enabled Hanne to reach the green comfortably in two shots and make a great regulation par four under pressure. 

Sam and Yaseen therefore had to make a birdie three to stay in the game. With both Sam and Yaseen on the green in two they were still in with a chance. Sam had a testing downhill birdie putt from 15 feet which he drained into the centre of the hole to take the match into a sudden death play-off.

The first play-off hole was halved in four strokes so the competitors then went on to the par 3 second hole which was playing into a strong wind. Yaseen was the only player who managed to hit the green in regulation but Claus made an excellent bogey four to put pressure on the young star.

However Yaseen produced a great downhill two putt to seal victory and win the 2016/2017 Pearl Trophy match play.

The Pearl Trophy started back in October with 25 teams taking part and the final was played in testing windy conditions on the Club’s Montgomerie championship course and produced a memorable match.