Pepperell lifts the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, his first-ever European Tour title
Englishman Eddie Pepperell survived a tense finish to win his maiden European Tour title — the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters — at the Doha Golf Club yesterday.
The 27-year-old Englishman held off a spirited challenge from compatriot Oliver Fisher to win the prestigiopus title and become richer by $291,000, reported The Peninsula.
Pepperell, during his five years on the European Tour, has participated in 128 tournaments and achieved a top-10 finish 22 times. After that long grind, when he finally won his first title, he said he felt a huge ‘relief.’
“Relief, I guess is the number one emotion, as is always the case with a win — although I haven’t had many,” Pepperell was quoted as saying by Gulf Times.
Pepperell carded a final round of 70 and held his nerve over the closing stages to fend off compatriot Oliver Fisher by a single stroke for the win at the Doha Gulf Club.
The win also saw him rocket from 188th to 13th in the season-long rankings.
Pepperell, who could not win anything since claiming the Open Cotes d’Armor Bretagne on the Challenge Tour in 2012, contested with his great friend and playing partner Fisher on the dramatic final day.
Entering into the final par-5 hole, the two were separated by just one shot, raising hopes of a possible play-off. Fisher, who fought back after dropping three shots at a stage, squandered his birdie opportunity narrowly to card a 71 for a 17 under aggregate.
Pepperell, whose approach shot from the rough landed more than 10 feet to the left of the pin, took two putts to par the hole and register his breakthrough victory with an 18 under 270 total, according to Qatar Tribune.
“What a day?! Oli made it really tough and I made it tough for myself at the end with the second shot on the 18th,” the Oxfordshire player said.
“But I felt good all day, I was in a great place mentally and kept telling myself I’m going to win this and Oli certainly made life more interesting.”
