England’s Laurie Canter came out on top in a dramatic three-way play-off to take home his second DP World Tour title at the Babco Energies Bahrain Championship.
Heading over to the 18th, Canter was one shot adrift of Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal. The 41-year-old Spaniard looked to secure his 10th tour win, however made a costly bogey at the 18th. Canter and Dan Brown, the English duo he had successfully held off until then, then forced a play-off.
On the first extra hole, Larrazabal gave into nerves and squandered his chance of victory when his drive found the water. Canter was the first to take advantage of the Spaniard’s wayward shot, sinking a superb birdie after his initial drive found the green.
Larrazabal was persistent, managing to get his shot up and out of the water. But he missed a par putt, just as Brown followed suit with a bogey leaving Canter two shots to claim victory in which he did with a four-foot putt to collect his second DP World Tour title.
“It feels great. I really had to hang in the first couple of rounds this week,” said the 35-year-old.
“I was scoring nicely but not great tee to green, kind of putting well, and then last night I had a little chat with my coach… and he gave me a couple of ideas just to improve my iron play.
“I hit the ball great today and then putted terrible, so it’s kind of how it goes. But I’m so chuffed I stuck in there.
“It’s unfortunate what happened to Pablo but just absolutely delighted to have stuck in and get another win.”
The Englishman carded a final round 69, while Larrazabal and Brown closed with a 70. A shot further back sharing fourth place were Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, Spain’s Ivan Cantero and David Puig, and France’s Martin Couvra.
WHAT IS THE NEXT EVENT?
The next event on the DP World Tour schedule is the Qatar Masters taking place between 6-9 Feb at the Doha Golf Club in Qatar.