Ryan Lumsden underlined his potential as one of Scotland’s brightest emerging talents by winning his first Official World Golf Ranking professional title at the Journey to Jordan #2 at Ayla Golf Club earlier today.
Lumsden won by one ahead of England’s Curtis Knipes – sealing the victory with a double bogey on the 18th for a two under par 68 and a eight under total.
Five players finished in a share of third place as Sweden’s Ake Nilsson (69) reaching six under par 210 alongside the English quartet of Jamie Rutherford (65), Mitch Waite (68), Tom Sloman (70) and Benjamin David (70).
European Tour
Meanwhile, England’s David Langley secured himself a place in the field at the Trophee Hassan II on the European Tour by topping the Journey to Jordan rankings at the halfway stage of the season.
He shot a two-under par 70 in the final round to finish in tied 35th place. David Hague, the only player who could have overtaken Langley this week, was tied 30th and could not surmount the difference in earning between the two.
However, the star of the day was the 23-year-old Lumsden, who is expected to move to inside the top-1000 of the OWGR with his triumph.
The Northwestern University star, who will play the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic in May on the PGA Tour as a result of winning the Byron Nelson Award in US collegiate golf last year, had a three-stroke lead heading up the last but took three shots to get to the green after finding a fairway bunker and then three-putted for a six on the closing hole.
“Don’t ask me about the 18th, but I am delighted to get the win. I felt really good about my game the whole day. I got off to a good start and was four under through six. I then made great putts that barely missed on the next two holes. I just played solid golf throughout the day.” – Ryan Lumsden
The 19-year-old Knipes, who turned professional earlier this year, recorded his best ever finish on the MENA Tour by Arena. His 68 included just one bogey, which came on the fifth hole when he chunked a wedge shot from the middle of the fairway, but that was the only mistake he made.
“I played pretty well today,” said Knipes. “The conditions were very fair and I did have a number in mind for the final round. I wanted to get to 10-under par, so a 65. That was not to be, but I am very happy with the runner-up finish.”
