"Speechless" Ferguson seals maiden win in Qatar
Ewen Ferguson. Credit: Getty Images
Scotland's Ewen Ferguson claimed his first DP World Tour title, producing a fine finish in windy conditions to win the 2022 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters by one shot.
Ferguson went into Sunday's final round three shots adrift of overnight co-leaders Adrian Meronk of Poland and England’s Matthew Jordan but as the duo slipped on the back nine, the European Challenge Tour graduate was able to take full advantage, firing an eagle and a birdie in his last three holes to lift the trophy.
“It’s unbelievable,” Ferguson said. “I can’t believe it. Really just speechless that I’ve won and I’ve just seen that I might move up to 11th in the Rankings, which is just unbelievable.
“I can’t believe it. It’s years and years of hard work. My mum, dad, brother and sister and my whole family have given everything for me to have this moment and it’s just an absolute dream come true.
“It was one of those days when you just kept fighting to the end. I’d been in contention a bit over the last couple of years and not managed to win, to the point where I thought I don’t know if I’ll ever manage to win. Just to get over the line is an absolute dream come true. I cannot believe it.”
After shrugging off the disappointment of a double bogey at the second hole, Ferguson birdied the sixth before carding nine straight pars at Doha Golf Club.
A tremendous chip-in eagle from over the back of the 16th green propelled the 25 year old into a share of the lead, and he calmly holed a 16-foot birdie putt at the last to sign for a closing 70 and set the clubhouse target on seven under par.
He faced an anxious wait as Meronk and Jordan still had a handful of holes to complete, but no-one could catch the Scot and he was able to celebrate his first professional win, joining Andrew Coltart (1998) and Paul Lawrie (1999 and 2012) as Scottish winners of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
“It feels amazing,” Ferguson added. “Actually Bob MacIntyre just sent me a text with a video of when I was 18 or 19 acting like an idiot and he said, ‘I can’t believe this guy has just won’.
“Everyone is so happy for me. Connor Syme, my best pal out here, is so happy for me as are his family and all my family and hopefully I can inspire a lot more people to play golf and get out here and get over the line as well.
“Connor has text me and called me a stud. He just loves that I won and said that he knew it was coming. He’s just the nicest guy and has helped me with my game.
“I’ve had quite a few key putts now in my life. I said if I miss it make sure it’s past the hole because who cares about the one back. I said make it and that’s what you practice for.
“As for the chip in, I called it before I hit it to my caddie as I said it was a hole-able one. I’d been practising my chipping this morning and as soon as I hit it I thought that looks good and sure it was.”
Ferguson's playing partner Chase Hanna of the United States finished alone in second place on six under after he rounded off his Sunday 71 with a birdie at the 18th. Meronk and Swede Marcus Kinhult were another shot further back in a tie for third, with Jordan amongst a group of seven players at four under par.
Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell and Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney shot five-over 77s to finish 40th and 49th respectively on one and two-over.
