Rozner wins in Dubai for first European Tour ‘title’

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec 5, (AP): French golfer Antoine Rozner captured his first title on the European Tour after shooting 8-under 64 in the final round to win the Golf in Dubai Championship by two strokes on Saturday.

Rozner, ranked No. 204, started the final day four shots behind overnight leader Andy Sullivan, who led by two strokes as he reached the back nine on the Fire Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. While Sullivan only made one birdie – along with a bogey – after the turn to shoot 70 for his worst score of the week, Rozner rolled in four birdies on the back nine as well as an eagle 3 at No. 13. His run of five birdies in seven holes from No. 5 had pushed him into real contention.

Rozner finished the tournament on 25 under par and became the 14th firsttime winner on the tour this season. “I’m going to be very honest, the first time I saw I was in the lead was when I was on the 18th green,” the 27-year-old Rozner said, “so I didn’t really look at the leaderboard. “I knew the game was there. I didn’t know it was that good, but I’m excited.” Sullivan, a four-time winner on the tour, set a course record of 61 in the first round and was looking to complete a wire-to-wire win. The English player was tied for second with Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France (65), Francesco Laporta of Italy (66) and Matt Wallace of England (68). Meanwhile, Annika Sorenstam was elected president of the International Golf Federation, replacing the outgoing Peter Dawson. Sorenstam, a 72-time winner on the LPGA Tour and former No. 1, will take up the position on Jan 1. The Swede was elected during the IGF’s virtual board meeting and her first major task will be to help oversee the federation’s strategic planning for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.

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