The HotelPlanner Tour returns to the United Arab Emirates for back-to-back events next week, starting with the UAE Challenge at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club in Ajman. The UAE has hosted four HotelPlanner Tour events over the past two years, and here are three of the best moments...
Gouveia’s stunning eagle
Portuguese Ricardo Gouveia started the final day of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Challenge four shots off the lead and facing a battle to land his sixth HotelPlanner Tour title. During a thrilling day’s play at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, where five different leaders emerged, Gouveia saved his best golf for the final two holes.
After birdieing the 17th, Gouveia hit an impressive approach shot on the par five 18th to set up an eagle attempt. Englishman Tom Lewis’ missed birdie putt on the last meant the Portuguese had two putts to seal victory. However, one was enough for Gouveia to finish two shots clear on 19 under par.
Rottluff’s unlikely win
German Maximilian Rottluff appeared out of contention midway through the final round of the 2023 UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi. Rottluff, who was making his first HotelPlanner Tour start of the season and who was the last man in the field, began the final round two shots back of pacesetter Manuel Elvira, and dropped down the leaderboard after bogeying his opening hole and the par four eighth.
However, five birdies between holes nine and 16 moved the German into a share of the lead with Road to Mallorca Number One at the time, Ugo Coussaud. A bogey for the Frenchman on the 17th gave Rottluff the outright lead on 14 under par, and in turn a maiden HotelPlanner Tour victory.
Red hot Rasmus
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen cemented himself as the HotelPlanner Tour’s form player during the 2024 UAE Challenge. Fresh off winning the Kolkata Challenge and finishing seventh at the Abu Dhabi Challenge, Neergaard-Petersen produced an impressive final round to chase down overnight leader Wilco Nienaber at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
The Dane fired seven birdies on his way to a five under par 67 to end the week 14 under par, one shot clear of South African Nienaber. The victory solidified Neergaard-Petersen’s position at the summit of the Road to Mallorca Rankings.
