Golf: Dunn the destroyer

Simon Dunn showed just why he has made it to the top level in Asian professional golf by sweeping aside a top-class field of local pros and amateurs to win the Black Tee Challenge, sponsored by Gulf News, over 36 holes on Emirates Golf Club’s twin courses.

Asian Tour pro Dunn opened with a course record 69 (four-under) on the tricky Nick Faldo-designed Wadi course to establish a four-stroke advantage over UAE PGA professional Nick Oakley.

A one-over par 73 on the familiar Majlis Championship layout, including an eagle attempt on the par-five third which somehow defied gravity to stop on the edge of the cup, was more than enough to keep his rivals at bay by a comfortable six strokes.

Defending champion Joel Neale (Emirates GC) was three shots back after the first round and played day two alongside Oakley and Dunn. Teenager Neale produced an excellent 75 on the second day but was edged into fourth on countback by another UAE PGA pro, James Bowring who shot a one-over 73 to match Dunn’s round and record a 151 total.

Dunn shattered the old course record of 77 on the first day, starting with an eagle three at the 546-yard third. He added birdies at the fifth, sixth, and ninth holes while dropping shots at the fourth and seventh. Three-under at the turn, another birdie followed immediately at the 509-yard 10th and he parred the remaining eight holes.

Michael Kull (Emirates Golf Club) recorded the best nett performance of the championship with rounds of 68 and 74 to give him a one-under par 142 total. Steve Hunt (EGC) claimed second on 146 with Michael Collins (EGC) third on 148.