The Frenchman began the day with a two-shot advantage and carded an eagle and three birdies on the front nine to stretch his lead to five strokes at the turn.

He then safely parred the next seven holes in breezy conditions before a bogey-birdie finish saw him end the tournament on 19-under and banish the memory of his play-off defeat to Rasmus Højgaard in this event three years ago.

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Rozner’s commanding victory in the final event of the calendar year is his third win on the DP World Tour and first since the 2021 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Spaniard Alfredo Garcia-Heredia finished alone in second on 14-under after posting a flawless 67 on his 41st birthday.

France’s Julien Brun was two shots further back in third after his level-par 72.

An emotional Rozner said: “Unbelievable. It’s a tough game. We practise so hard all year long and a win is a win and I’m so glad I got this done.

“It’s so hard to win so I’m just so happy. I didn’t know anything about the scores, I didn’t want to have a look. I knew I was in the lead.

“I knew if I kept playing like this there was going to be no issue at the end but it was so hard.

“I started hitting bad shots so I think with my caddie we did a really good job to stay focused and stay in the moment and not think about the scores and the other guys. We did an amazing job today.”

The post Antoine Rozner claims dominant victory in Mauritius appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 22-year-old intends addressing his putting problems this week and will likely feel the positive vibes from last year at Doha Golf Club flood back if he does.

Related: After late misery in Muscat, Wood eyes more Doha delight

Wang took a three-stroke advantage into the final round last year and ironically watched a lengthy birdie putt that would have claimed the Mother of Pearl Trophy on the 72nd hole brake agonisingly shot, and right in the jaws, of the cup.

But when Jaco Van Zyl three putted the par-5 18th at the first time of asking in sudden death (for a fifth European Tour bridesmaid finish), and Swede Joakim Lagergren left himself too much to do from a greenside trap, Wang didn’t need a second invitation and coolly cupped a shorter birdie attempt.

Related: Wang’s meteoric rise continues with dramatic Qatar Masters triumph

At 21 years and 144 days old, he became the third youngest player in European Tour history to win three events. The two gentlemen above him on the list? Italian whiz kid Matteo Manassero and a bloke so legendary he needed only one name, Seve.

But Wang was so in the zone it almost, well sort of, passed him by even if he now concedes “it was a really good experience for me, an unforgettable one.”

“It feels really good to be going back as the defending champion but I don’t remember a lot from last year because all I was thinking about was winning,” said Wang who warmed up for his title defence with a T-26 finish at last week’s NBO Oman Open.

Indeed, Wang’s form has been encouraging in 2018: he was T-15 in Abu Dhabi, T-6 in Dubai and T-62 in Kuala Lumpur. His world ranking, which soared to 39 after the Qatar triumph, has slipped to No.123 after he finished 48th in last season’s Race to Dubai standings, a year after a career high 16th finish when he won the Trophée Hassan II – also after a play-off – and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

Jeunghun Wang finished T-26 at the NBO Oman Open. Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

But Wang is a genuine wizard with a wedge around the greens (Golf Digest has seen it first hand after partnering Wang in the 2016 Abu Dhabi pro-am), touch that could equally take some of the heat off that recently and relatively cold putter.

“I’m hitting the ball really well right now, I’m driving well, my irons are good but my putting is not great in the last couple of weeks. If I putt well maybe I can give myself a chance to win again.”

Oman Open champion Joost Luiten and Race to Dubai leader Shubhankar Sharma, after wins at December’s Joburg Open and the Maybank Championship in Malaysia earlier this month, will give Wang a run for the coveted Pearl trophy.

Related: Joost boost as Luiten wins in Muscat

“I watched Jeunghun Wang last year on the television and that was really nice to see,” said Sharma whose preparation wasn’t ideal after rounds of 73-72 at Al Moj saw him miss just his second European Tour cut and his first since the 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images. Race to Dubai leader Shubhankar Sharma.

“I know it’s very windy and it looks challenging but I think I will really enjoy it there. Obviously I’m playing well at the moment and I will be hoping for another good week.”

Former Open champions Paul Lawrie (1999), who has twice triumphed in the Qatari capital, and Darren Clarke (2011) are also confirmed starters along Thomas Bjorn.

The European Ryder Cup captain has played the Qatar Masters 13 times, made the cut 10 times and enjoyed three top 10s including victory in 2011. He shared 31st in Muscat and will be buoyed that 10 of this 13 rounds this season have produced red numbers, six of them sub-70 efforts.

The post Wang seeks co-operation from his putter ahead of Mother of Pearl trophy defence appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Ryan Herrington
South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli hopes to win plenty more European Tour titles after claiming his second on Sunday, beating Arjun Atwal in a playoff to take AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. But chances are he won’t win another while using only 13 clubs. The 27-year-old former college teammate of Jordan Spieth’s at the University of Texas shot a closing 67 to finish at 16-under 282 at Heritage Golf Club, then birdied the first extra hole for the win. But it was back on the sixth hole that he had his most interesting adventure.

Frittelli’s tee ball missed the fairway wide right, and came to rest behind some small trees. In trying to hit a recover shot, Frittelli wound up breaking his iron in half. The ball was advanced about 30 yards, and then Frittelli hit his third just shy of the green only to chip-in for par. Take a look for yourself:

Drive into the trees ?
Snaps club during second shot ?
Chip-in for par

Eventual winner @Dylan_Frittelli had an eventful 6th hole during today’s final round. pic.twitter.com/LX8g15hg1k

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) December 3, 2017

Unable to replace the broken club, Frittelli didn’t let it bother him, making birdies on two of the next three holes and four over the final 12.

The post Dylan Frittelli wins European Tour event playing with just 13 clubs for much of final round appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.