Aussie golfer wins Dubai Creek Open

By Bobby Allan Wilson

DUBAI, UAE (JP): Australia's Adrian Percey yesterday sank a dramatic 12 foot putt for par on the final hole of regulation play to win the Omega Tour's US$250,000 Dubai Creek Open by one shot from South Africa's Des Terblanche.

All square going into the last, both Percey and Terblanche hit their second shots on to the fringe just left of the 18th green, and while Percey left his chip 12 feet from the pin, Terblanche ran his ball to within four feet to put the pressure on his Australian rival.

But with the tension mounting, the 26-year-old from Adelaide calmly drained his par effort, leaving Terblanche a knee- trembling putt to force a play-off, which he pushed just wide.

Leading by two at the start of the day, it was a superb effort from Percey, who showed a composure and maturity beyond his age to keep the more experienced South African at bay. In the end, Percey's bogey-free 69 was just enough to secure his maiden victory on the Omega Tour.

Percey fired three birdies for a 16 under par winning aggregate, while Terblanche hit seven birdies and three bogeys for a final round 68.

"I've been very solid from tee-to-green all week, but thought I'd blown my chances on the front nine - Des was going like a train and I'd missed four or five quite good birdie chances," said Percey, who moves into fifth place on the Omega Order of Merit after collecting the $40,375 winner's cheque.

"But I relaxed a little after moving ahead on the 10th, and even though I was one behind with two to play, I'd birdied the 17th two out three times earlier in the week and knew I could pull one back.

"I have to admit I was very nervous on the 18th tee and mighty relieved to just see my drive finish up on dry land. And although I left my third shot a little short, it was a difficult chip and I was fairly confident I could make my par."

Terblanche was the first to seize the initiative in blustery conditions over the 6,789-yard Dubai Creek layout, and after touring the front nine with a three under par 33, took a share of the lead on 14 under par at the turn.

But a two shot turn-around on the par 5 10th, where Percey made a birdie to Terblanche's bogey, gave the Australian a little breathing space down the back stretch. Terblanche then drew level on 15 under with consecutive birdies on the 12th and 13th, before taking the outright lead with another birdie on the 15th.

Both players played the 16th in regulation, before Percey fired a magnificent eight iron to within six feet of the pin to draw level and set up the dramatic final hole.

"This is without doubt my finest moment in professional golf, and what gives me even more satisfaction is the manner in which I won staying ahead of a player of Des' ability and experience, and playing the final round bogey-free gives me a real confidence boost for the rest of the season," added Percey, who also won the 36-hole Volvo Open in Shenzhen, China earlier in the year.

First round leader Ted Purdy of America fired a one under par 71 to finish in third place on 11 under, one shot ahead of Hong Kong's Dominique Boulet, Paul Foley of Australia, and Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit and Chawalit Plaphol, who both carded. (69)

Results 272 - Adrian Percey (Aus) 69 68 66 69 273 - Des Terblanche (Rsa) 69 72 64 68 277 - Ted Purdy (USA) 66 72 68 71 278 - Boonchu Ruangkit (Tha) 70 67 72 69, Chawalit Plaphol (Tha)

72 71 66 69, Paul Foley (Aus) 72 69 68 69, Dominique

Boulet (Hkg) 67 68 71 72, 280 - Charlie Wi (Kor) 69 70 69 72, Imdad Hussain (Pak) 69 72 65

74, Craig Kamps (Rsa) 69 69 68 74 281 - Eric Meeks (USA) 77 70 66 68, Ramon Brobio (Phi) 73 70 68

70, Kenny Walker (Sco) 72 71 65 73 282 - Ho Chung-Yuan (Twn) 74 73 66 69, Lu Wen-Teh (Twn) 69 75 68

70 Scott Laycock (Aus) 70 67 68 77 283 - Thammanoon Sriroj (Tha) 70 71 70 72 284 - Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 67 76 73 68, Grant Dodd (Aus) 73

69 69 73, Gaurav Ghei (Ind) 69 71 71 73, Kwon Young-Suk

(Kor)72 69 66 77 285 - Simon Owen (Nzl) 74 70 72 69, Wang Ter-Chang (Twn) 69 73

73 70, Aaron Meeks (USA) 73 71 69 72, Brad Andrews (Aus)

69 73 71 72, Chang Tse-Peng (Twn) 70 70 71 74