It capped a brilliant 66 on Sunday in the UAE capital as the Portuguese took a massive step towards securing a DP World Tour playing card in 2024.

Gouveia, who started the day four shots off the lead, climbed into contention with a chip-in eagle on the eighth hole before birdieing the 17th and eagling the last to get to 19-under for the week and secure a sixth Challenge Tour title.

It was a topsy-turvy day, with five different players in the lead at one point, but it was Gouveia who emerged on the top of the pile, finishing two shots ahead of England’s Tom Lewis, Dubai resident Joshua Grenville-Wood, South African Wilco Nienaber and Spaniard Ivan Cantero Gutierrez, who shared second on 17-under.

Gouveia, who topped the Challenge Tour Rankings in 2015, was pleased to rediscover his form in Abu Dhabi.

“It was a crazy day.” he said. “I didn’t feel like I brought my best game off the tee, but I managed myself really well. I knew the pins were going to be tucked away and my strategy was really good. I holed some nice putts and I’m so happy to finish on top.

“I tried to focus on finishing the round strong because in golf you never know what can happen. It was a special way to finish, and I’m delighted right now.”

The 31-year-old, who will tee it up at the UAE Challenge next week at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, admits his experience of winning Challenge Tour events in the past helped him get over the line.

“I have done a lot of mental preparation recently and I have managed my nerves a lot better,” he said. “I have been using the pressure as fuel coming down the stretch.

“I had a good pre-season, and I knew my game was heading in the right direction. I didn’t start the season great, but I had five weeks of very good preparation for this event, and I felt ready to compete at the top of the leaderboard again. I’m going to play next week on the Challenge Tour and after this win I have gained so much confidence.”

Gouveia catapults to ninth place on the Road to Mallorca Rankings with 328 points. Frenchman Ugo Coussaud maintains his position at the top of the Rankings with 689 points, with South African JJ Senekal staying in second place with 446 and Swede Adam Blomme remaining in third with 409 points.

The post Gouveia signs off in style in Abu Dhabi Challenge appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Li had played nine holes in just 29 blows for the second time this season as he carded a brilliant 63 to set the target at nine under at Bernardus Golf.

The Chinese star famously denied Rory McIlroy the 2018 Dubai Classic title, and he has work cut out once again.

Li would lead the way after 36 holes but Gouveia made a move with an eagle on the 12th and then produced his big finish to get to double figures after a 66.

Gouveia is looking to re-establish himself on the DP World Tour after regaining his card as he finished second on the European Challenge Tour last season.

The Portuguese topped the Challenge Tour Rankings in 2015 and enjoyed an impressive debut campaign, earning himself a place in the field at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

Englishman Matt Wallace was at eight under after a 67 alongside Pole Adrian Meronk, who carded a 68.

After his round, Gouveia said: “I just played very solid from the beginning, I holed a few good putts today again, I think that was the key, and kept it in play so when I missed a few shots I was able to recover well.

“I made a lot of birdies so far and I think that shows my putting has been good the last couple days and I hope I can continue into the weekend.”

Li added: “I put every ball in safer places and created a lot of birdie chances from there. I need to be myself and stay calm, and hopefully I can shoot another couple rounds like this.”

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The post DP World Tour: Dubai Desert Classic champ Li Haotong hits a winner, but Gouveia upstages at Dutch Open appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club head pro half-pie expects to wake up from this “surreal” dream but it’s real and it’s “crazy” cool. Buchanan really did qualify for the Desert Swing opener via a reinstated UAE PGA qualifier at Saadiyat Beach G.C. before Christmas and he really will tee it up in the $3 million event Thursday in the company of England’s Paul Waring and Ricardo Gouevia of Portugal.

Related: Buchanan on qualifying for Abu Dhabi’s European Tour stop: ‘It’s just bonkers’

“It’s just mental, crazy, still crazy,” said the Scotsman who celebrated his 38th birthday on Tuesday and is sure to have vocal local galleries in tow when he sets off from the 1st tee at 12.55pm.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, just being about everything. I managed to get myself in the group photo which is a keepsake for life and the nine holes with Stevie on Monday was amazing. I don’t know if it’s not hit me yet that I’m actually in the tournament but I’ve somehow managed to keep myself reality calm. Hopefully that continues throughout the week.”

Buchanan is fourth from right in the fourth row in his keepsake “Class of 2018” pic.

Gallacher offered invaluable strategic insight, particularly when to attack the scoreable par 5s and when to favour a more conservative approach. Buchanan has used a few solo circuits to sure up his wedge work around the greens and putting on them in anticipation of keeping his rounds going.

“The rough is pretty juicy so if you miss the fairway you pretty much have to lay up because you can’t get enough club on the ball. So I’ve been working on lay ups, feeling comfortable hitting those par saver shots.”

Making the cut is the goal and Buchanan knows he’s capable despite the heady company he’s keeping this week.

“I was talking to [Dubai-based coach to the stars] Justin Parsons and he said the only person stopping me from shooting 70 is me.,no body else. There’s no referee saying I can’t shoot 70. Those words hit me. If I go out and play like I know I can, who knows what’s in store for me.

“I’ve been hitting it well in practice, hitting the driver well so the chance of being here over the weekend is actually possible if I can just stay in control of myself.”

Buchanan knows he’ll probably have to play “33 holes of the best golf of my life” to make the weekend but can’t lose either way.

“It’s just surreal, those names around me in the locker room, but they’re all human. Everyone has been very good, very nice and helped me stay pretty relaxed. If I do make the cut, then great. If not, it will still be an unbelievable experience.”

Photo: Masam Ali (Motivate)

The post Al Ain club pro Tom Buchanan living the dream at Desert Swing opener appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.