By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Balmore's Fraser McKenna achieved his highest finish and biggest cheque of his fledgling pro golf career by finishing joint runner-up today in the 54-hole Qatar Classic at Doha Golf Club, one of the MENA Tour events.
McKenna, who will be 23 on November 20, turned pro in mid-August. He shot rounds of 76, 66 and 71 for a three-under-par total of 213, sharing second place with England's Zane Scotland (72-68-73) and Welshman Stephen Dodd (71-68-74).
Englishman Lee Corfield celebrated his 31st birthday with an eagle 3, holing a putt of 26ft feet, at the final hole to win the trophy and $9,000 first prize by two shots with a five-under total of 211 (70-69-72).
"To be honest, I didn't play all that well today, just managed to keep my round going by holing a couple of clutch putts," said Corfield."I had a good opportunity on the final hole and luckily the ball went in for eagle," he said.
"It's fun to play on MENA Tour. They are doing a fantastic job and the tour growing, which is great."
Al Ain-based Scot Tom Buchanan had a disappointing last round of 79, after scores of 72 and 71 had him well up the field. He dropped to a share of 28th place with a six-over total of 222.
Clarke Lutton finished 49th on 229 (77-73-76).
Conor O'Neil (Pollok), who turned pro at the same time as Fraser McKenna, finished joint 50th on 227 with scores of 77, 74 anb d76.
Mortonhall's Greg Nicholson shot 73-78-79 for 230 and 56th place.
Steven Troup, the final Scot in the field, filled 57th place on 231 with rounds of 74, 76 and 81.
QATAR CLASSIC
Doha Golf Club
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
211 Lee Corfield (Eng) 70 69 72
213 Fraser McKenna (Sco) 76 66 71, Zane Scotland (Eng) 72 68 73, Stephen Dodd (Wal) 71 68 74
214 Daniel Owen (Eng) 70 71 73
SELECTED OTHER TOTALS
216 Daniel Wardrop (Eng) 70 73 73 (T7)
217 Yasin Ali (Eng) 72 74 71, James Allan (Eng) (am) 71 75 71 (T11)
222 Tom Buchanan (Sco) 72 71 79 (T28)
227 Conor O'Neil (Sco) 77 74 76 (T50)
230 Greg Nicolson (Sco) 73 78 79 (56th)
231 Steven Troup (Sco) 74 76 81 (57th).
ends